By Florence Nwabueze, LAGOS

Stakeholders in the health sector have called for increased awareness and evidence-based management of hormonal health, particularly menopause, as a new supplement, Efamol Evening Primrose Oil (EPO), was unveiled in Nigeria.

The product which was introduced at the 2026 Continuing Education Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Chapter, attended by pharmacists, healthcare professionals and industry players.

Speaking at the event, actress and activist, Kate Henshaw, stressed the need for greater understanding of menopausal health, drawing from her personal experience.

“I never knew the symptoms and effects of menopause until just after age 50, when I realised that what I was feeling in my body were actually menopausal symptoms,” she said.

Henshaw noted that while hormonal changes are natural, managing them requires informed choices and appropriate support, urging women to prioritise their overall wellbeing beyond physical appearance.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Pontisalus Pharmacy, Ibukun Tola-Ogunyemi, said there is a growing demand among Nigerians for pharmacy-recommended and clinically supported wellness products.

She explained that pharmacists play a critical role in guiding patients toward credible options, especially in a market saturated with unverified supplements.

On her part, menopause advocate and coach, Mosunmola Dosumu, highlighted the need to demystify menopause, describing it as a natural phase that can be effectively managed with proper knowledge and care.

According to her, hormonal changes, particularly reduced oestrogen levels, can impact skin health, hydration and general comfort, adding that nutritional support, including essential fatty acids, can help alleviate some symptoms.

Chief Executive Officer of New Heights Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said the company has put in place distribution channels to ensure availability of the product across pharmacies nationwide.

He added that the introduction of the supplement was in response to increasing demand for clinically proven wellness solutions.

The product, which is available to consumers online at healthace.ng/efamol, is backed by clinical studies, and has been associated with improvements in skin condition, reduction in eczema-related symptoms, and relief from premenstrual discomfort, making it particularly relevant in today’s wellness-conscious environment where consumers are seeking solutions that are both natural and scientifically validated.

Experts at the event emphasised the importance of shifting attention from symptomatic treatment to preventive care and internal health management, noting that informed decision-making remains key to improved health outcomes.