Amid rising concerns over malpractice in hospital drug supply, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to sanction companies and pharmacists allegedly involved in illegal drug distribution within public health institutions.
ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, accused the Federal Ministry of Health of allowing unregistered private operators to manage drug distribution under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, describing it as a “persistent disregard for the law.”
He said such practices violate the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022 and undermine the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) system established by law to ensure proper procurement and management of medicines in hospitals.
Ezeh also alleged that many hospital administrators have mismanaged DRF resources, leading to frequent drug shortages, and called for stricter enforcement of the Public Procurement Act 2007 to promote transparency.
He described the situation as a “persistent culture of disregard for the law,” accusing some pharmaceutical companies and their superintendent pharmacists of operating illegally within Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
He reaffirmed ACPN’s commitment to a stronger pharmaceutical supply chain and urged the government to restore accountability, warning that drug scarcity and poor access will persist without firm action.
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