Pharmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have attributed the continuous rise in drug prices to unfriendly government policies and multiple regulatory fees imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of PSN, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, made this known in an interview with Pharmanewsonline shortly after his address at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Annual Scientific Week of the association, held at the Pleasant Event Centre, Ikeja.
Oyekunle specifically blamed NAFDAC for the introduction of multiple Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection fees for foreign manufacturing sites. According to him, Nigerian importers sourcing from the same foreign site are charged multiple times, despite only a single inspection visit being conducted. He described this as a major contributor to the rapid increase in drug costs in Nigeria.
He also criticised the current state of drug regulation, saying the agency has failed to align with the spirit of the 2024 Executive Order issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That order was meant to reduce drug prices by abolishing tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on pharmaceutical machinery and materials. However, Oyekunle said the situation has only worsened, leading to greater drug scarcity and unaffordable prices for many Nigerians.
“The PSN has long warned that executive orders alone will not bring down drug prices,” he said. “This is because Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain remains heavily dependent on imports.”
Oyekunle emphasised that unless the Federal Ministry of Health and related agencies change their focus from revenue generation to effective regulation, drug prices will continue to escalate. He accused key figures, including the Coordinating Minister, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate and NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye of ignoring clear signs that the system is failing the Nigerian public.
He expressed deep concern over the current cost of regulatory activities, particularly NAFDAC’s GMP inspection fees, which he said are driving small and medium pharmaceutical enterprises out of business and creating monopolies.
Oyekunle revealed that: The first importer from a foreign site is charged $10,989.01, while subsequent importers are charged $5,000 each, for what NAFDAC labels a “risk-based desk review.”
He described this as “monumental injustice,” questioning the logic behind conducting desk reviews for sites that have already been physically inspected and issued valid certifications.
“This is not about health safety; it’s about boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) at the expense of effective regulation, and ultimately, at the expense of Nigerian lives,” he stated.
He also criticised NAFDAC’s prolonged product registration timelines, arguing that the agency has failed to improve the process despite Nigeria’s pressing public health needs. He challenged the Federal Government to audit the number of drug products successfully registered by NAFDAC in the past two years.
Additionally, Oyekunle condemned NAFDAC’s planned introduction of a track and trace policy, saying it would create further financial burdens on pharmaceutical companies by forcing costly changes to product packaging. He warned this could raise drug prices by an additional 70 to 85 per cent.
He questioned NAFDAC’s obsession with aligning with every World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation, particularly given that India, where over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s drug supply originates, remains on Maturity Level 1 (ML1), while Nigeria, with far less capacity, attempts to reach ML3.
“NAFDAC seems more interested in impressing global bodies than building a viable local pharma industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Keynote Speaker, at the occasion, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, emphasised the importance of digitalising pharmacy practice to improve access and equity in healthcare. Speaking on the theme “Digitalising Pharmacy: Enhancing Access and Equity for Universal Health Coverage,” he explained that digital tools can bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, improve access to information, and ensure last-mile drug availability.
The immediate past PSN president called on pharmacists to embrace digital innovations and commit to continuous learning, noting that digital transformation is critical to achieving universal health coverage.
The event also featured the presentation of Practice Excellence Awards to outstanding pharmacists, including: Pharm. Omolara Ebitigha; Pharm. (Mrs) Tolase Adeoluwa; Pharm. Quadri Adeniyi; Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi; Pharm. Comfort Oluwatoyin Emmanuel; Pharm. (Mrs) Fausat Isamotu; Dr Bukola Aminat Oseni; Dr Foluke Ayeni; Pharm. Theodore Okafor; and Pharm. Charles Okafor.
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