The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has revealed that Nigeria now has more than 150 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers, with at least five of them certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a good manufacturing practice (GMP), a milestone that underlines the growing potential of the industry despite the prevailing challenges.
This was revealed before the 44th Annual National Conference of the Association, scheduled to be held in Awka, Anambra state, from July 22 to 27, 2025.
Speaking with journalists during an informative session of the conference prior to the conference, the national president of ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, emphasized that the pharmaceutical sector is on a stable path to become a multimillion -dollar industry.
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“They do not make mistakes about it, the pharmaceutical industry continues to grow despite all probabilities,” Pharm. Our local manufacturers, including outstanding Nigerian investors, are building active plants of pharmaceutical ingredients (API) with investments that reach tens of millions of dollars.
“These efforts are changing the structure of the game and helping to impose medication security in Nigeria.”
He cited examples of pharmaceutical giants such as Fidson Healthcare, who has played an important role in the production of antiretroviral drugs, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, which recently commissioned a cephalosporin plant and Jawa Pharmaceuticals, an Indian company that has launched a beta-lactam production site in Nigeria.
According to Ezeh, with recent investments and strategic expansion, the industry will grow from its current estimated value of $ 2 billion to up to $ 10 billion in the next five years.
The ACPN also praised Codix Healthcare for establishing a local installation for the manufacture of diagnostic kits and in vitro medical consumables, which further increases the country's capacity for self -sufficiency in essential health products.
He added that despite the progress, the association pointed out that the sector still requires the deliberate support of the government.
“We urge the Government at all levels to support pharmaceutical manufacturers with special incentives, including access to raw equipment and materials that meet GMP standards.
“Local manufacturing presents immense opportunities for job creation, economic growth, international trade and even national security,” Ezeh said.
He warned that poorly implemented policies, such as the controversial medipool program, could derail progress if interested parties such as pharmaceuticals are not properly consulted.
“Policies should not be developed in isolation. The Federal Ministry of Health must reach more interested parties in the practice of pharmacy before implementing reforms,” he added.
ACPN also asked the Government to amend the Law of False Drugs to include more rigid sanctions for the Moors and completely implement the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (2015), whose objective is to disinfect the Nigeria chaotic drug supply chain.
Using professional policy in the health sector, Pharm. Ezeh expressed his disappointment for what he described as “continuous subjugation of pharmacists and other health professionals by doctors,” whom he accused of influencing politics in his favor.
He said: “The Government continues to please doctors who want each title, office or privilege in medical care to be exclusive to the members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
“This undermines the professional autonomy of other qualified health professionals.”
Ezeh also questioned why only doctors are appointed executive directors of federal health institutions and regretted that despite the establishment of the pharmaceutical consultants in 2015, many hospitals still refuse to implement it.
“As a profession, we have spent millions to train for the scholarship program that leads to consulting status, however, we are being frustrated at all levels,” he said. “Ironically, doctors who receive training by government often abandon the country, while pharmacists who pay their pockets are denied professional progress.”
The Association also took a firm position against the bill of the regulatory authority of National Health Facilities (NHFRA) currently before the National Assembly, warning against any attempt to merge the Nigeria Pharmacy Council (PCN) with other regulatory agencies.
“It is one of the reasons why Nigeria achieved the WHO of maturity of medication regulation. A fusion would dilute our effectiveness and derail years of progress.”
He added that international best practices in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa maintain independent pharmacy advice to preserve professional standards and public safety.
As the Awka Conference approaches, ACPN reiterated its commitment to the reforms that would guarantee the availability, accessibility and affordability of safe and quality medicines in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear,” Ezeh said. “We will continue advancing, as writing says: 'I, the Lord, demolish the tall tree and make the low tree grow high, I have spoken and I will do it”.