ACPN urges National Assembly to fast-track pharmaceutical sector bills

Pharmacists under the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) have called on Nigeria's National Assembly to accelerate action on all pending legislative bills affecting the pharmaceutical sector. This was a key point in a communiqué issued by ACPN following its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, themed 'UNITY 2026: From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact, Managing Complex Healthcare Systems.'

The conference, attended by stakeholders, government officials, and health agency representatives, also stressed the urgent need to address issues surrounding drug procurement and distribution. ACPN proposed the creation of a National Drug Management Agency. This agency would manage the 10 percent allocation for essential medicines under the Basic National Health Provision Fund and coordinate drug procurement through a centralized facility.

ACPN urged the National Assembly to finalize legislative actions on pending bills, including amending the Fake Drug Act to regulate drug distribution and establishing the Federal Drug Management Agency. They emphasized that this agency should manage the procurement of essential medicines from the Basic National Healthcare Provision Fund, rather than continuing to entrust Nigeria's resources to private entities through unsustainable methods.

Furthermore, the association advocated for establishing a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy to provide local specialist training, reduce reliance on overseas education, and conserve foreign exchange. ACPN also advised the National Assembly against further amendments to health bills for 14 professional councils and NAFDAC, stating the proposed changes lack justification for advancing public interest. They commended the Senate Committee on Health for its swift handling of the NHFRA bill hearing, which was largely rejected by various stakeholders.

Finally, ACPN expressed profound concern over the significant "brain drain" in the pharmaceutical sector, revealing that over 9,000 pharmacists have emigrated in the last two years. They drew the government's attention to this disturbing phenomenon, highlighting its impact on the sector.

“

ACPN called on the National Assembly to firm up and complete legislative action on pending bills in general to produce Acts of Parliament in the listed areas including amendment of the Fake Drug Act to regularise drug distribution, creation of a Federal Drug Management Agency to legalise drug procurement through a central pool, including taking responsibility for the 10 per cent of procurement of essential medicines from the disbursement of the Basic National Healthcare Provision Fund (1 per cent of the consolidated Revenue Fund of the country) rather than continuing to hand over the commonwealth of Nigeria to private profiteers in unsustainable methodologies.