The Federal Government has unveiled the Electronic Pharmacy (e-Pharmacy) Regulations, 2026, marking a significant step toward aligning Nigeria’s pharmaceutical practice with global health priorities and advancing digital healthcare delivery.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this during the official launch of the regulations in Abuja, stating that the initiative is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at transforming the country’s healthcare system through digital innovation.
According to Pate, the new regulations are designed to establish a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem that leverages technology to improve health outcomes and accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
He explained that the framework provides comprehensive guidelines covering all aspects of digital pharmacy operations, including licensing and registration, prescription management, medicine supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, compliance monitoring, and consumer protection.
The minister noted that by improving access to medicines, supporting treatment adherence through digital tools, and capturing critical health data, e-pharmacy services would strengthen the overall health system while enhancing service delivery.
Describing the launch as a defining moment in Nigeria’s healthcare journey, Pate emphasized that the regulations would ensure pharmacy practice reflects modern realities while safeguarding public health. He also warned operators against non-compliance, stressing that the era of unregulated digital pharmacy operations is over.
“The licensing process is open, and the requirements are clear. Regulatory institutions are fully prepared to clamp down on those distributing substandard or falsified medicines,” he said, urging stakeholders to prioritize patient safety and collaborate with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
He further called on investors, development partners, and global health organizations to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s growing digital health space, assuring that the government is building a world-class, evidence-based regulatory environment.
In his technical presentation, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the regulations were developed through extensive consultations with technology experts, healthcare providers, and legal stakeholders.
Ahmed noted that the framework balances accessibility with safety and accountability, ensuring that ethical standards and public trust are maintained as digital healthcare services expand.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, said the regulations would strengthen medicine traceability, improve prescription systems, and expand access to safe pharmaceutical services, particularly in underserved communities.
Stakeholders, including representatives of the World Health Organization and the World Bank, as well as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, expressed support for the initiative and called for its swift implementation to achieve its intended impact.
The e-Pharmacy Regulations, 2026, are expected to provide a legal and operational backbone for Nigeria’s digital pharmaceutical ecosystem, ensuring safer access to medicines while promoting innovation and investment in the health sector.
