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By Doris Obinna
Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has commended the Federal Government for its decision to expand the list of prohibited imported drugs, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and conserving foreign exchange.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the updated prohibition schedule covering drugs under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 signals renewed commitment to protecting domestic industry players.
The ACPN specifically highlighted the ban on the importation of commonly used medicines such as paracetamol tablets and syrups, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamins, aspirin and folic acid, as well as topical preparations like penicillin and gentamycin ointments. It described the development as a “step in the right direction” that would boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
According to the association, the policy effectively places the responsibility for meeting the country’s primary healthcare drug needs on local manufacturers, aligning with national economic priorities. It also welcomed the inclusion of cocoa derivatives and sugar products on the prohibition list, noting that such measures support broader industrial protection.
The ACPN expressed optimism that the would enforce the new regulations diligently to prevent unnecessary seizures or penalties affecting legitimate operators. It added that the policy, when combined with reduced import duties on essential inputs, could enhance drug affordability and accessibility if properly implemented.
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The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 per cent of national demand, far below the 70 per cent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021. It attributed this gap partly to continued dependence on imports, especially from China and India, which it said accounts for about 65 per cent of drug supply in the country.
They argued that strengthening local manufacturing would reduce pressure on foreign exchange, improve medicine security by shortening supply chains, and enhance regulatory oversight by agencies such as the and the .
It further stated that increased domestic production would help curb the circulation of counterfeit medicines, create employment opportunities, and position Nigeria as a leading pharmaceutical hub in West Africa, where it already accounts for about 60 per cent of local drug manufacturers in the ECOWAS region.
The ACPN called on the Federal Government to sustain the momentum by establishing a presidential committee dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector, implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, and strengthening existing laws against fake drugs. It also urged reforms in pharmaceutical education and training to expand the pool of skilled professionals across industry, clinical, hospital and community practice.
The association maintained that the policy represents a critical opportunity to advance national self-sufficiency in healthcare, stressing that timely and effective execution would ultimately benefit Nigerians through improved access to safe, affordable medicines.
