National Drug Policy

A Policy outlines strategies to ensure safe, effective, and affordable medicines are available to all Nigerians. It targets pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and regulatory agencies to promote rational drug use and local production.

What Is This Policy?

Nigeria's overarching policy on pharmaceuticals, setting out principles and strategies for ensuring that safe, effective, and quality medicines are available, accessible, and affordable to all Nigerians.

Who Does It Target?

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, and distributors Healthcare providers prescribing and dispensing medicines Regulatory agencies including NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council Patients and the general public

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Guarantee the availability of safe, effective, and affordable essential medicines for all Nigerians through a well-regulated pharmaceutical sector, rational drug use, and strengthened local manufacturing capacity.

Key Features

Essential Medicines List: A regularly updated national list of medicines considered essential for addressing priority health needs Drug Regulation: Strengthened registration, quality control, and post-market surveillance of pharmaceutical products Local Manufacturing: Incentives and support for domestic pharmaceutical production Rational Drug Use: Promotion of evidence-based prescribing, dispensing, and patient education Procurement and Supply: Efficient procurement systems to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential medicines

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active with periodic revisions Coverage: All levels of the health system and pharmaceutical sector Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Partners: WHO, USAID, development partners

How to Access

The policy guides all pharmaceutical sector operations and is available through the Federal Ministry of Health. Access through the Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Services Division NAFDAC publishes related regulatory guidelines on its website Available through WHO Nigeria country office publications

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Pharmaceutical Services Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 1993, the Food and Drugs Act Cap F32 LFN 2004, the National Health Act 2014, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act. Draws on the WHO Essential Medicines List, the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, and the TRIPS Agreement flexibilities on access to medicines.