The Federal Government has launched a new Electronic Pharmacy Regulation Platform (E-Pharmacy) in Abuja, aimed at tightening oversight of online healthcare services and safeguarding public health.
Spearheaded by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the initiative is tailored to regulate digital pharmaceutical operations while enhancing service delivery across the sector.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described the platform as a bold stride towards establishing a globally competitive regulatory framework. He acknowledged that pharmacy regulation in Nigeria had wrestled with persistent setbacks for over 30 years but expressed confidence that the new system would usher in improved transparency and control.
According to him, the platform is poised to drive data-driven supervision of pharmaceutical activities, while also encouraging innovation and attracting investment into the health space.
“This launch is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing technology in the service of health, safety and human dignity.
“It is a decisive step to ensure that pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria aligns with national and global health priorities, reflecting the realities of the 21st century.
“It enables the country to adopt evidence-based approaches to monitoring and protecting public health while supporting innovation and investment,” he said.
Pate further noted that the initiative would lay the foundation for a secure, accessible, and efficiently regulated national e-pharmacy system powered by digital tools.
Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of PCN, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, traced the urgency for regulating online pharmacy services to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the global health crisis fast-tracked the use of digital platforms and e-commerce in healthcare delivery, exposing deep-rooted inefficiencies in medicine distribution systems, especially across Africa and Nigeria.
“This has led to the increasing adoption of digitised distribution of essential medicines through cost-effective and technology-enabled models.
“For decades, PCN has regulated pharmacy education, training, practice and business in Nigeria. However, as the world shifts towards digital solutions, access to medicines has evolved.
“The Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026 provide a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services,” he said.
Ahmed added that the regulatory framework would ensure that patient safety and professional ethics remain paramount, even as pharmaceutical services increasingly migrate online.
