Pharmacists Applaud Import Ban on Common Drugs, Urge Presidential Committee for Local Production

Pharmacists under the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have welcomed the recent ban on importing key medicines. They say this move will strengthen local manufacturing and conserve scarce foreign exchange. ACPN Chairman Ambrose Ezeh urged the federal government to set up a Presidential Committee. He believes a clear roadmap and firmer regulatory institutions will ensure better enforcement of drug distribution guidelines and combat counterfeit products. The association highlighted that the prohibition of items under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 to 3004.90.00 — including paracetamol, metronidazole, multivitamins, aspirin, folic acid and certain ointments — can boost investor confidence. They also welcomed the inclusion of cocoa derivatives and sugar products to protect domestic industries. With local drug output at just over 38% of national demand, ACPN says stronger policy and training will help meet the 70% target in the National Drug Policy 2021. They stressed that higher local production will enhance medicine security, create jobs and reduce dependence on imports.

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