Nigeria targets $10bn pharma boom, seeks medicine security

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has announced a major push to transform the nation’s pharmaceutical industry into a $10 billion sector within the next five years.

This effort is being driven by substantial local investments in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production aimed at strengthening medicine security and making Nigeria a leading drug manufacturing hub in Africa.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, revealed these plans in a statement ahead of the association’s 44th Annual National Conference. Ezeh disclosed that Nigerian manufacturers and investors are building API plants worth tens of millions of dollars, positioning the country for significant pharmaceutical growth.

“Our industry, once valued at around $2 billion, is set for a remarkable leap,” Ezeh said.

“We are confident that the current investment drive will push the sector toward a $10 billion valuation, while ensuring that Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in medicine production.”

The association urged the federal and state governments to provide incentives such as easier access to pharmaceutical equipment, excipients, and raw materials to support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance.

They emphasized that expanding local drug production would create jobs, stimulate international trade, and enhance national security.

The ACPN also called on policymakers to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which offers vast opportunities for pharmaceutical exports.

Criticizing the Federal Ministry of Health for excluding key stakeholders in policy decisions, the ACPN highlighted the controversial MEDIPOOL policy as an example of poor engagement.

The association recommended reviving past initiatives like the Expedited Medicine Access Programme to improve nationwide drug accessibility.

Additionally, the ACPN raised concerns about what it described as systemic marginalization of non-physician health professionals.

It criticized the federal government for the continued dominance of physicians in leadership roles within health institutions, including the appointments of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and heads of key agencies.

The association decried the lack of recognition for PharmD holders and consultant pharmacists, attributing it to opposition from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and allied groups.

It called for urgent dialogue to address decades of exclusion and ensure fair representation across all health professions.

The ACPN concluded by emphasizing the need for coordinated policies, investment-friendly reforms, and inclusive leadership to build a resilient and globally competitive pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria.