The Federal Government has restated its determination to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical inspection framework as part of efforts to safeguard the nation’s drug supply chain and protect citizens from harmful medical products.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the commitment in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the National Pharmaceutical Inspectors’ Workshop, themed “Inspecting for Excellence: Best Practices in Pharmaceutical Inspection as a Key Driver of Public Health Safety in Nigeria.”
Speaking through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Daju, Prof. Pate stressed that effective inspection systems are essential to ensure that all medicines and health products in circulation meet internationally accepted safety, quality, and efficacy standards. He pointed out that Nigeria still faces significant challenges from counterfeit, substandard, and falsified medicines, which endanger public health and undermine confidence in healthcare delivery.
“We cannot achieve universal health coverage if our pharmaceutical sector is undermined by poor-quality products and weak enforcement. Inspectors are the frontline guardians of our drug supply chain, and your work is indispensable in protecting lives,” he said.
The minister described pharmaceutical inspection as a cornerstone of public health regulation, explaining that the workshop would equip inspectors with up-to-date tools, best practices, and regulatory frameworks to improve the effectiveness of their work. He urged participants to use the training to exchange experiences and learn from one another, commending the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for organizing the event in alignment with the government’s goal of reforming regulatory systems, building capacity, and strengthening public trust in healthcare institutions.
The workshop brought together state pharmaceutical inspectorates, federal agencies, academics, and professional associations, with technical sessions covering inspection methodologies, risk-based strategies, and inter-agency collaboration.
PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, said the event was designed to provide inspectors with the latest knowledge and global best practices, enabling them to carry out inspections more effectively and consistently across the country. He acknowledged the inspectors’ resilience despite operational difficulties such as extensive travel, security risks, and pushback from stakeholders.
Ahmed emphasized that every inspection directly protects lives, highlighting the PCN (Establishment) Act, 2022, which empowers inspectors to shut down illegal premises and prosecute offenders. He also underscored the importance of ethical conduct and noted that the council’s adoption of a Quality Management System (QMS) will standardize inspections nationwide, reduce inconsistencies, and align them with international standards.
PCN Governing Council Chairperson, Pharm. Wosilat Giwa, called on inspectors to uphold the highest ethical values and intensify efforts against counterfeit and substandard medicines, describing them as “frontline guardians of the nation’s health.” She explained that the structures of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Committees (PICs) and the Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors Licence Committees (PPMVLCs) were designed to encourage collaboration between the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), and other stakeholders. Giwa cautioned against any form of compromise, warning that the credibility of the profession rests on the inspectors’ integrity.
Chairman of the National Pharmaceutical Inspectors Workshop, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, described inspectors as the visible face of the PCN, tasked with safeguarding patients, enforcing regulations, and upholding professional standards. While commending their dedication, he highlighted persistent obstacles, including illegal drug sales in open markets, unregulated online and social media pharmacies, diversion of controlled substances like tramadol, political interference, internal disputes, and pressure from vested interests.
What you should know
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, is reinforcing pharmaceutical inspections to combat counterfeit and substandard medicines.
The PCN (Establishment) Act, 2022, gives inspectors broader enforcement powers, while the adoption of a Quality Management System aims to unify inspection standards nationwide.
Stakeholders at the workshop emphasized ethical conduct, collaboration, and capacity building as critical to protecting public health and ensuring regulatory compliance.
