The House of Representatives has implored the Federal Government to take immediate action to curb the escalating cost of medicines, warning that millions of Nigerians are being priced out of essential healthcare. This resolution follows a motion by Alex Ikwechegh, representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, highlighting a sharp and sustained increase in the prices of essential medicines over the past two years.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the situation has become critical, particularly for low-income earners and those in rural communities with already limited healthcare access. Ikwechegh stated that the cost of essential medicines has risen astronomically, making them unaffordable for millions dependent on them for survival.
Data presented indicated that prices for some commonly used drugs have surged by 300 to 500 percent. This increase is attributed to inflationary pressures, the depreciation of the naira, heavy reliance on imports, and persistent supply chain disruptions.
The House acknowledged a June 2024 Executive Order aimed at reducing production costs by waiving tariffs, VAT, and import duties on pharmaceutical raw materials, equipment, and machinery. However, lawmakers noted that the policy's benefits have not yet been widely felt due to poor implementation, exchange rate instability, regulatory bottlenecks, and limited access to financing for local manufacturers.
Concerns were also raised regarding the delayed conclusion of an ongoing probe into the high cost of medicines by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, initiated in February 2025 in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority and other stakeholders. The delay, lawmakers noted, raises questions about accountability and timely policy responses.
The situation poses a significant threat to national health security, especially during public health emergencies. Nigeria's continued dependence on imported medicines, with over 70 percent of finished drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients sourced from abroad, exposes the country to global supply disruptions and price shocks.
Boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing was stressed as a means to not only improve access to affordable medicines but also to create jobs and foster industrial growth. The House urged the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure the full implementation and monitoring of the Executive Order on pharmaceutical inputs.
Furthermore, they called for the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Industrialisation Fund under the Bank of Industry to provide single-digit interest loans to indigenous drug manufacturers, particularly SMEs. Regulatory agencies, including the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, NAFDAC, and SON, were directed to expedite registration and quality assurance processes for locally produced medicines without compromising standards.
A nationwide campaign promoting the use of locally manufactured drugs was also proposed, to be led by the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency. The House mandated its Committees on Health Institutions, Industry, Commerce, National Planning and Economic Development, and Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks.
The House's intervention comes amidst growing concern over medicine affordability in Nigeria, exacerbated by economic headwinds. Since the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, the cost of importing drugs and raw materials has surged, with manufacturers passing the burden to consumers. Many Nigerians with chronic conditions have resorted to cutting doses, skipping medication, or abandoning treatment altogether.
Industry operators have consistently warned of severe constraints faced by local manufacturers, including high energy costs, limited access to foreign exchange, and difficulties in securing long-term financing. These challenges have hampered domestic production, increasing the nation's reliance on imports. Public health experts note the worsening health outcomes as preventable conditions become life-threatening due to a lack of affordable medicines.
The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) supports investments that strengthen local production of essential health products and improve medicine security. Emzor Pharmaceuticals' Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) project is seen as relevant to this national effort, aiming to deepen domestic manufacturing and reduce structural dependence on imported inputs.
PVAC's mandate includes cross-sector coordination, policy enablement, and investment facilitation to increase local production, create jobs, attract capital, and strengthen supply resilience. API production is a priority area for PVAC, as it underpins pharmaceutical self-reliance and supports national objectives on medicine availability, affordability, health security, and industrial growth, while also positioning Nigeria as a competitive health manufacturing hub in Africa.
Emzor's API project, particularly its focus on local API manufacturing, aligns with efforts to stimulate domestic production and expand the range of health products made in Nigeria. The company's commitment to high-quality local API manufacturing, starting with antimalarials, contributes tangibly to national goals on medicine security, industrial growth, and regional competitiveness, exemplifying the private-sector leadership PVAC aims to foster.
