Abuja — The Federal Government has launched the 2026 Electronic Pharmacy (e-Pharmacy) Regulations in a decisive move to regulate digital drug distribution, curb the circulation of substandard medicines, and expand access to safe healthcare services across Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving reforms through digitalization to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, Pate described the regulations as a major milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation, noting that they establish a “safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem.”
He explained that the framework would improve access to medicines, enhance treatment adherence through digital tools, and strengthen the collection of critical health data to support evidence-based decision-making.
The regulations, developed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, provide comprehensive guidelines covering registration and licensing, prescription management, medicine supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, as well as consumer protection.
Pate stressed that the provisions apply to all stakeholders in the digital pharmacy ecosystem, including operators, pharmacists, healthcare providers, and technology companies, warning that non-compliance would no longer be tolerated.
“The era of operating in a grey area is over,” he said, adding that regulatory agencies are fully prepared to clamp down on those distributing falsified or substandard medicines through digital platforms.
He further called on operators to align with regulatory standards and prioritize patient safety, while inviting investors and development partners to support Nigeria’s growing digital health sector.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the regulations were developed through extensive collaboration with stakeholders, including healthcare providers, legal experts, and technology innovators.
He noted that the framework ensures that increased access to medicines through digital platforms does not compromise ethical standards, safety, or accountability.
According to him, the regulations complement the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform policy and implementation framework, providing a legal and technical structure for the operation and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services in Nigeria.
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, said the initiative would improve medicine traceability, strengthen prescription systems, and expand access to safe pharmaceuticals in both rural and urban areas.
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Development partners, including representatives from the World Health Organization and the World Bank, as well as industry stakeholders, endorsed the move and called for immediate enforcement to achieve its intended impact.
The Federal Government said the new regulations position Nigeria to align with global best practices while ensuring that digital innovation in healthcare prioritizes patient safety and public health outcomes.
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