A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately enforce the recently signed Executive Order on Drug Prices, aimed at reducing the soaring cost of essential medicines across Nigeria. This appeal comes amid growing public concern over the inaccessibility of life-saving drugs due to inflation, naira devaluation, and rising import costs.
Earlier this year, President Tinubu signed an Executive Order targeted at regulating drug prices and encouraging local pharmaceutical production. The order, which aligns with the President’s broader healthcare reforms, also provides incentives for manufacturers and mandates collaboration among regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, the Ministry of Health, and the Customs Service to streamline drug importation and curb exploitative pricing.
However, despite the order’s promise, implementation has been sluggish. Many Nigerians still face skyrocketing prices for basic medications, such as antibiotics, malaria drugs, and insulin, sparking criticism from civil society groups and healthcare professionals.
In a press briefing held in Lagos, Chief Gbolahan Adebayo, a respected APC strategist and health advocate, called on President Tinubu to act swiftly to activate and enforce the Executive Order to ensure Nigerians can afford critical medications.
“Mr. President has taken a bold step by signing the Executive Order, but Nigerians are still suffering because implementation is slow. The poor can’t buy drugs. Pharmacies are closing down. We must take action now,” Adebayo stated.
He further urged key stakeholders—including the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria—to support the President’s vision by developing a rapid implementation plan and ensuring compliance across all levels.
To put the situation into perspective, recent market surveys have shown that the prices of essential drugs have increased by over 200% in the last year alone. Factors such as foreign exchange instability, high production costs, and reliance on imported raw materials have pushed local pharmaceutical companies to the brink, forcing many to shut down operations or reduce output.
This crisis has not only strained household incomes but also compromised the country’s healthcare delivery, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses.
To address these challenges, Chief Adebayo recommended the following:
- Immediate enforcement of the Executive Order across federal and state institutions
- Tax reliefs and subsidies for local drug manufacturers
- Strengthened border control to stop counterfeit and overpriced imports
- Public education campaigns to inform citizens about the government’s efforts and available support
