90 per cent of drugs in Nigeria bypass regulated supply chain — Distributors

The Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN) has warned that up to 90 percent of medicines circulating in Nigeria do not pass through licensed and regulated pharmaceutical channels—an alarming trend the group describes as a worsening national health emergency.

The warning was issued in Lagos on Friday during a press briefing to mark the 2025 edition of Fight the Fake Week, a global campaign against falsified and substandard medicines.

PWDAN Chairman, Pharmacist Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said the country’s weak and fragmented drug distribution system continues to empower counterfeiters and unlicensed operators.

“Our members account for only about 10 to 20 percent of medicines in circulation.

“The remaining 80 percent—or even more—is controlled by individuals and bodies outside the regulated network. This is a national emergency,” he said.

He noted that the chaotic system has enabled the proliferation of fake and substandard medicines, especially in open drug markets and online spaces with minimal oversight.

This, he said, makes it difficult for consumers to identify safe medicines, exposing millions to avoidable health risks.

Omaruaye disclosed that PWDAN has spent the past two years developing a technology platform to improve medicine traceability across its network. The platform is expected to launch in January 2026.

However, he stressed that technology alone cannot address the magnitude of the problem.

“Like the banking sector requires strong government oversight, drug traceability must be nationwide, government-led, and strictly enforced. No association can fix this alone.

“We need NAFDAC, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and all relevant regulators to enforce compliance across the entire supply chain,” he said.

PWDAN Secretary, Pharmacist Olaide Soetan, also expressed concern over the dominance of unlicensed players in the drug market.

She warned that unless the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) are fully implemented, Nigeria will continue to fall behind in the fight against falsified medicines.

“The NDDG provides a clear pathway for safe and responsible drug distribution. But without enforcement, the system remains open to abuse,” she stated.

Gafar Olanrewaju of Pharmaton 693 Cooperative Pharmacy added that counterfeiters exploit Nigerians’ preference for cheaper drugs.

He stressed that low-cost or unbranded medicines are not necessarily substandard, but urged consumers to purchase only from licensed pharmaceutical professionals.

The officials further noted that the high cost of medicines—often blamed on distributors—is largely driven by manufacturers, importation expenses, and government policies.

They argued that boosting local drug production and expanding health insurance coverage would help lower prices and reduce reliance on unsafe alternatives.