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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Federal Government has launched a policy, Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026, designed to strengthen regulations and monitoring all digital pharmaceutical activities.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, at the launch of the policy in Abuja, on Friday, commended the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) for the innovation that, he said, would curtail abuse and misapplication of pharmaceutical knowledge.
He explained that the e-pharmacy regulations will further provide a comprehensive framework to guide the practice of e-pharmacy in Nigeria, covering every facet of digital pharmacy operations, notably, registration and licensing, prescription management, medicines supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, and consumer protection.
“These provisions apply to all stakeholders in the e-pharmacy ecosystem; operators, licensed pharmacists, healthcare providers, regulators, and consumers. By standardizing practices and improving transparency, the regulations strengthen traceability in medicines distribution, enable evidence-based monitoring, and protect public health while supporting innovation and investment.”
The Minister said that at the heart of the regulations is a clear vision to establish a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem that leverages digital technology to improve health outcomes.
“By making medicines reliably available, supporting adherence through digital tools, and capturing critical health data, e-pharmacy directly advances Universal Health Coverage (UHC) while strengthening our health system.”
He warned e-pharmacy operators and technology companies that the era of operating in a grey area is over, insisting that full compliance with these regulations is expected from henceforth. “The licensing process is open and the requirements are clear. Engage proactively with PCN and design your platforms with patient safety at the centre. Those who comply will find a regulator who is a partner, those who do not will find an enforcer.
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“To our development partners, international organizations, and investors, Nigeria is open for business in digital health. We are building a regulatory environment that is world-class, evidence-based, and responsive, and we invite your partnership, investment, and expertise as we implement and continuously strengthen this framework.
“Furthermore, we have issued a clear warning to those who would exploit the digital space to peddle substandard and falsified medicines, or place profit above patient safety. Nigeria’s regulatory institutions are alert, equipped, and resolute in their duty to protect our citizens, and I am deeply optimistic about what lies ahead. If we remain deliberate and united in purpose, we will not only transform access to medicines within our borders, we will set a standard for others to follow,” the Minister said.
PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, in a presentation, noted that many abuses have been recorded in the digital space as regards the activities of pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies, hence the birth of the policy to put a strict checks to that.
He explained that the policy establishes comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operations and oversight of digital pharmaceutical activities.
He encouraged all interested parties to leverage the policy to innovate and harvest the huge potentials and opportunities in the digital space under a close and regulated basis.
“To the public, these regulations are your shield. They ensure that when you click ‘order’ on the screen of your devices, you are receiving the same quality of care and genuine medication as you would have across the counter in a pharmacy store,” he said.
He thus reaffirmed PCN commitment to a future where technology and professional ethics work closely to improve health outcomes for all Nigerians.
