The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria has welcomed the Federal Government’s revised list of prohibited import items, describing it as a decisive policy shift with the potential to reshape Nigeria’s pharmaceutical landscape, strengthen domestic production capacity, and improve overall health security.
The association noted that the updated framework, which tightens restrictions on the importation of selected pharmaceutical and agro-based products that can be locally manufactured, represents a significant milestone in efforts to reduce dependence on foreign goods while conserving scarce foreign exchange reserves.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh, and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the policy direction signals renewed confidence in indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing and could serve as a catalyst for increased investment in the sector.
According to the group, the inclusion of pharmaceutical products classified under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 in the prohibition schedule is particularly noteworthy, as it covers a wide range of commonly used medicines. These include paracetamol in tablet and syrup forms, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamin supplements, aspirin, folic acid, as well as topical preparations such as penicillin and gentamicin ointments.
The association described the restriction on these medicines as a “strategic correction,” arguing that shifting production responsibility for essential primary healthcare drugs to local manufacturers aligns with national development priorities and long-term health security objectives.
It also praised the extension of the prohibition list to include selected cocoa-based products and sugar-related goods, noting that the measure would help strengthen Nigeria’s agro-processing value chain and encourage local industrial growth beyond the pharmaceutical sector.
However, the pharmacists urged the Nigeria Customs Service Nigeria Customs Service to ensure strict but transparent enforcement of the new regulations. They cautioned that inconsistent implementation could lead to unintended disruptions, including wrongful seizures or trade bottlenecks, and stressed the importance of clear operational guidelines for stakeholders.
The association further observed that when properly implemented alongside reduced import duties on raw pharmaceutical inputs, the policy could significantly improve drug affordability and accessibility for the Nigerian population.
Reaffirming its longstanding advocacy for domestic production, the group emphasised that strengthening Nigeria’s pharmaceutical base is central to both economic stability and public health advancement. It warned that continued reliance on imports—currently estimated at about 65 percent of national drug consumption, largely sourced from China and India—poses risks to supply chain stability and undermines the country’s local production targets under the National Drug Policy 2021.
The association also highlighted broader benefits of increased local manufacturing, including job creation, improved regulatory oversight, reduced circulation of counterfeit medicines, and enhanced resilience against global supply shocks, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With more than 120 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers operating in the country, the group expressed optimism that Nigeria could significantly scale up production capacity before 2030 if existing facilities are optimally utilised and supported through targeted reforms.
It called for stronger legislative backing for the sector, including a review of existing drug-related laws, stricter penalties for offenders involved in counterfeit drug production and distribution, and full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
The association further recommended the establishment of a Presidential Committee on the pharmaceutical industry to coordinate reforms, strengthen regulatory institutions, and develop a clear roadmap for achieving sustainable local production.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria concluded that such measures are urgently required to guarantee medicine availability, affordability, and safety across the country, stressing that the current policy direction offers a timely opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare and industrial future.
“The time to actualise this vision is now,” the statement added.