By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The Federal Government on Friday in Abuja inaugurated the Electronic Pharmacy Regulation Platform (E-Pharmacy) to enhance the safety of online healthcare services.

The platform, championed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), is designed to regulate digital pharmaceutical services and improve public health outcomes.

Inaugurating the platform, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the initiative signified Nigeria’s commitment to building a world-class regulatory environment.

Pate noted that pharmacy regulation had faced significant challenges for over three decades but expressed optimism that the new platform would strengthen oversight and accountability.

He said the initiative would enable evidence-based monitoring of pharmaceutical practices while supporting innovation and investment in the health sector.

“This launch is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing technology in the service of health, safety and human dignity.

“It is a decisive step to ensure that pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria aligns with national and global health priorities, reflecting the realities of the 21st century.

“It enables the country to adopt evidence-based approaches to monitoring and protecting public health while supporting innovation and investment,” he said.

The minister added that the platform would help establish a safe, accessible and well-regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem driven by digital technology.

Earlier, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of PCN, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, said the need to regulate online pharmacy operations became more urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahmed said the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools and e-commerce in healthcare, exposing longstanding inefficiencies in pharmaceutical supply chains, particularly in Africa and Nigeria.

“This has led to the increasing adoption of digitised distribution of essential medicines through cost-effective and technology-enabled models.

“For decades, PCN has regulated pharmacy education, training, practice and business in Nigeria. However, as the world shifts towards digital solutions, access to medicines has evolved.

“The Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026 provide a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services,” he said.

He added that the framework would ensure that ethical standards and patient safety are not compromised in the delivery of online pharmaceutical services. (NAN)

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