By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

In a decisive move to sanitize Nigeria’s fast-growing digital health space, the Federal Government on Friday unveiled the Electronic Pharmacy (E-Pharmacy) Regulations, 2026, drawing a clear line against unregulated online drug sales and substandard medicines.

Launching the landmark framework in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, declared that the era of “operating in a grey area” in Nigeria’s e-pharmacy ecosystem is over, warning that strict enforcement would follow for defaulters.

Describing the regulations as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s healthcare evolution, Pate said the new regime establishes a comprehensive legal and operational structure to govern digital pharmaceutical services, covering licensing, prescription management, drug distribution, data security, and consumer protection.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes digital transformation as a pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“With these regulations, we are building a safe, transparent, and fully regulated e-pharmacy ecosystem that protects patients, strengthens medicine traceability, and supports innovation,” Pate said.

The minister issued a stern warning to operators exploiting digital platforms to distribute fake or substandard drugs, stressing that regulatory agencies are now “alert, equipped, and resolute” to clamp down on offenders.

“To e-pharmacy operators and technology companies, full compliance is no longer optional. Those who comply will find a partner in regulation; those who do not will face enforcement,” he declared.

The framework, developed through extensive collaboration with stakeholders including healthcare providers, tech innovators, and legal experts, is expected to enhance access to safe medicines across both urban and underserved communities, while tightening control over prescription practices.

Supporting the initiative, representatives of global partners including the World Health Organisation ,WHO, and the World Bank hailed the regulations as timely and critical, noting the rising risks associated with unregulated online drug purchases.

WHO representative, Dr. Omotayo Hamzat, underscored longstanding global concerns about internet-based drug sales, urging Nigeria to ensure strict implementation and enforcement of the new rules.

Similarly, the World Bank described the move as a “solution to a major gap” in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in guaranteeing the quality and safety of medicines purchased online.

Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria ,PCN, Pharmacist Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, noted that the regulations would serve as the backbone of the national e-pharmacy policy, enhancing medicine traceability, improving prescription systems, and expanding access through digital platforms.

He revealed that enforcement would leverage technology experts and international collaboration, including Interpol, to track and shut down illegal operators.

Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector also welcomed the development, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare value chain and attracting investment into the digital health space.