The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has unveiled new regulations aimed at improving medicine traceability, strengthening prescription controls, and expanding access to pharmaceutical services in both underserved areas and urban centres.

Known as the E-Pharmacy Regulations, the framework provides comprehensive guidelines for digital pharmacy practice in Nigeria. It covers key areas including registration and licensing, prescription management, medicine supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, and consumer protection.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the government had taken decisive steps to ensure that pharmacy practice aligns with national and global health priorities, reflecting the realities of the 21st century.

He noted that the Bola Tinubu administration’s agenda is driving a transformative shift in Nigeria’s healthcare system through a strong focus on digitalisation aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). According to him, the event marks a defining moment in the country’s healthcare journey and demonstrates a collective commitment to harnessing technology for health, safety, and human dignity.

Pate said Nigeria is building a regulatory environment that is world-class, evidence-based, and responsive, while warning those who may exploit digital platforms to distribute substandard or falsified medicines.

He explained that the regulations would ensure a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem that leverages digital technology to improve health outcomes.

The minister added that by making medicines reliably available, supporting treatment adherence through digital tools, and capturing critical health data, e-pharmacy directly advances UHC while strengthening the health system.

He said, “Nigeria’s regulatory institutions are alert, equipped, and resolute in their duty to protect citizens. These provisions apply to all stakeholders in the e-pharmacy ecosystem—operators, licensed pharmacists, healthcare providers, regulators, and consumers. By standardising practices and improving transparency.

The regulations will strengthen traceability in medicine distribution, enable evidence-based monitoring, and protect public health while supporting innovation and investment.

“To e-pharmacy operators and technology companies, the era of operating in a grey area is over. Full compliance with these regulations is now expected. The licensing process is open and requirements are clear. Engage proactively with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and design your platforms with patient safety at the centre. Those who comply will find a regulator that is a partner; those who do not will face enforcement.”

Also speaking, PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, said the need to regulate online pharmacy operations became more urgent following the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated e-commerce growth and increased the use of digital health tools for diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.

Ahmed noted that the pandemic exposed longstanding inefficiencies in pharmaceutical supply chains, particularly in Africa, and has driven the adoption of digitised medicine distribution through cost-effective, technology-enabled models.

“For decades, PCN has regulated pharmacy education, training, practice, and business in all its ramifications. However, as the world pivots toward digital systems, the ways patients access life-saving medicines have evolved,” he said.

He described the regulations as a significant evolution, providing a robust and modern framework to ensure that ethical standards and trust are not compromised, while protecting consumers from potential risks.

According to him, the Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026 establish a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation, and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services.

Ahmed added that the regulations were developed through collaborative engagement with stakeholders, including technology innovators, healthcare providers, and legal experts, ensuring a balance between accessibility, security, and accountability.

He explained that the process leading to the gazetting of the regulations followed established administrative and legal procedures, reinforcing their legitimacy and enforceability.

He further noted that the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan (NEPP), launched in 2025, underscores the need for effective regulation of online medicine sales and distribution.

Ahmed said it provides a comprehensive framework for the registration, operation, and oversight of electronic pharmacy platforms nationwide, while addressing challenges such as the circulation of substandard medicines, limited access in underserved regions, and the need for transparency in pharmaceutical transactions.

A representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria office, Dr Omotayo Hamzat, emphasised the importance of effective implementation and enforcement of the regulations to sanitise the online pharmacy space.

Hamzat noted growing global concerns over internet-based drug sales and described Nigeria’s move as timely, given the risks associated with unregulated online medicine purchases. “We have already begun purchasing medicines online without adequate regulation, leaving room for quacks. This is a commendable step forward. What is critical now is implementation and enforcement. We reaffirm our commitment to collaboration and support for the council,” he said.

On his part, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr Abdul Muktar, said the current administration is prioritising local pharmaceutical manufacturing to enhance health security, reduce import dependence, and strengthen the sector.