The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) says the country’s pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a major transformation, with local manufacturers and investors committing tens of millions of dollars into the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Speaking ahead of the association’s 44th Annual National Conference, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, and Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, said the investments aim to enhance Nigeria’s medicine security and establish it as Africa’s leading drug manufacturing hub.
Ezeh noted that while the industry was once valued at around $2 billion, new investments could push its worth toward $10 billion within the next five years.
Drawing comparisons with countries like India and China, the ACPN stressed the pharmaceutical sector’s potential to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP. It called on federal and state governments to support the industry through targeted incentives, such as easier access to equipment and raw materials, to ensure Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance.
Local manufacturing, the association said, would not only boost job creation and economic growth but also strengthen national security and open export opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The ACPN also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to involve pharmacists and other stakeholders in policymaking, citing the controversial MEDIPOOL policy as an example of poor consultation. It suggested reviving initiatives like the Expedited Medicine Access Programme from the Petroleum Trust Fund era to improve access to essential drugs.
On governance, the association expressed concern over the dominance of physicians in top health sector roles and called for greater inclusion of non-physician professionals, such as pharmacists, in leadership positions. It condemned the persistent marginalisation of PharmD holders and consultant pharmacists, urging dialogue between the federal government and health professionals to address systemic imbalance.
The ACPN emphasized that coordinated policy, regulatory reform, and sustained investment are key to building a globally competitive pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.
