Urgent Alarm: Pharmacists Demand Rapid Resolution To Prescription Policy Delays!

Pharmacists under the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have expressed serious concerns over the persistent delays in launching Nigeria’s National Prescription Policy (NPP), warning that such postponements are jeopardizing vital reforms in drug regulation, according to iReporter Online.

In a detailed letter dated August 8, 2025, addressed to Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the ACPN called for a comprehensive review of the draft NPP by all stakeholders before its official rollout, stressing the need for accuracy, inclusivity, and long-term effectiveness, iReporter Online reports.

According to iReporter Online, the ACPN commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for revitalizing the policy, which had been dormant since 2013/2014 due to unresolved conflicts and stakeholder walkouts.

However, the pharmacists’ association highlighted ongoing challenges, including the lukewarm engagement of key bodies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and shortcomings by the Food and Drugs Department of the Ministry in providing essential technical guidance.

The ACPN warned that rushing the launch without final stakeholder input risks undermining the policy’s objectives and could impede improvements in patient safety and drug regulation nationwide.

The letter also underscored the importance of strengthened funding and support for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), emphasizing that effective prescription oversight depends on well-resourced regulatory bodies.

The ACPN urged the Ministry to facilitate a thorough final review of the NPP draft, ensuring all committee decisions are properly documented and that the policy implementation marks a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s healthcare system under the Tinubu administration, according to iReporter Online.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”