Lagos Pharmacists Warn of Regulatory Gaps as PCN Council Remains Vacant, Threatening Drug Safety in 2026

Regulatory framework and the role of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) is the statutory body tasked with licensing pharmacists, inspecting premises, and enforcing standards for the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of medicines across the country. Its Governing Council, a 15‑member board appointed by the President, steers policy, approves budgets and sanctions disciplinary actions. In Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous state and a major pharmaceutical hub, PCN’s regional office oversees over 12,000 registered pharmacies, making its effectiveness a linchpin for public health.

Since the enactment of the Pharmacy Act in 1992, PCN has faced periodic funding shortfalls, but the situation worsened after the 2023 general elections when political turnover delayed the appointment of a full council. The vacancy left only a caretaker committee in place, limiting the council’s ability to approve new staffing, conduct regular audits and enforce punitive measures against non‑compliant operators.

What Lagos pharmacists are flagging now

At a press briefing on August 16, the Lagos State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) highlighted two acute problems: chronic understaffing of the state PCN office and the continued absence of a fully constituted Governing Council. The PSN cited a staff‑to‑pharmacy ratio of roughly 1:2,500, far below the recommended 1:500, meaning inspections are often delayed by weeks or months.

Society president Dr. Olusola Akinyemi warned that without a functional council, the PCN cannot sanction pharmacies that repeatedly dispense sub‑standard or counterfeit drugs. He added that the lack of clear leadership hampers the rollout of the new electronic licensing system that the federal government promised in its 2025 health‑sector digitalisation plan.

Why the regulatory gaps matter to everyday Nigerians

Nigeria already battles a high prevalence of falsified medicines; a 2022 NAFDAC report estimated that 15 % of all drugs circulating in the market were counterfeit. In Lagos, where informal drug markets thrive alongside formal pharmacies, delayed inspections increase the risk that sub‑standard products reach vulnerable patients, especially those with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Beyond health outcomes, the regulatory vacuum erodes consumer confidence. A recent survey by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce found that 42 % of respondents would consider buying medicines online only if a trusted regulatory seal were visible. The absence of a robust PCN presence therefore threatens both public safety and the commercial viability of legitimate pharmacies.

For health insurers and employers who fund employee drug benefits, the uncertainty translates into higher claims costs. Without reliable verification, insurers may reimburse for ineffective or harmful products, inflating premiums for the broader workforce.

Implications for African markets and the diaspora

Nigeria supplies roughly 30 % of West Africa’s legally manufactured pharmaceuticals, according to the African Development Bank. Gaps in Lagos’ drug oversight could ripple across the region, as bulk shipments from Nigerian factories often pass through Lagos ports before reaching neighboring markets such as Ghana, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Nigerian diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States, frequently relies on imported Nigerian medicines for cultural familiarity and cost reasons. If regulatory credibility wanes, diaspora consumers may face increased customs seizures or be forced to switch to more expensive Western brands, affecting remittance flows that fund local health services.

Investors eyeing Nigeria’s burgeoning generic‑drug sector are also watching the PCN saga. Venture capital firms that pledged $150 million to Nigerian pharma start‑ups in 2025 have signalled that sustained regulatory instability could delay product launches and diminish return‑on‑investment expectations.

A pattern of under‑resourced health regulators across Africa

Nigeria’s current dilemma mirrors challenges in Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia, where regulatory agencies have struggled to keep pace with rapid market expansion. In Kenya, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board reported a 40 % staff deficit in 2024, leading to backlogs in pharmacy renewals. South Africa’s Medicines Control Council was dissolved in 2022 after criticism over slow approvals for COVID‑19 vaccines, prompting a merger that still faces capacity issues.

These parallels suggest a continent‑wide need for structural reform: more predictable funding streams, digital inspection tools, and political insulation of regulator appointments. Regional bodies like the African Medicines Agency, launched in 2023, are beginning to coordinate cross‑border surveillance, but they rely on strong national anchors such as PCN to be effective.

Experts from the West African Health Organization (WAHO) have urged member states to adopt a “regulatory health index” that would publicly score agencies on staffing, budget execution and enforcement outcomes. Such transparency could pressure governments to fill vacancies and allocate resources before crises like the Lagos gap become public.

What could happen next – possible routes to reform

The federal Ministry of Health has pledged to appoint a new PCN Governing Council by the end of September, a timeline echoed by the Office of the President’s Special Adviser on Health. If the appointment proceeds, the council would likely prioritize a recruitment drive for Lagos inspectors and accelerate the rollout of the electronic licensing platform, which promises real‑time verification of pharmacy credentials.

Civil society groups, including the Health Advocacy Network of Nigeria, are preparing a petition for the Senate to mandate a minimum staffing ratio for all state PCN offices. Should the Senate adopt the measure, it would become law, forcing state governments to meet the staffing benchmarks or face funding penalties.

In the meantime, the PSN is mobilising its members to conduct peer‑review audits and to educate the public on how to spot counterfeit medicines. While these grassroots actions cannot replace statutory enforcement, they may buy time and preserve patient safety while the political process catches up.

Quick Answers

Why is the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria's Governing Council important for drug safety?
The council sets policies, approves budgets and can discipline pharmacies that break standards, ensuring medicines are safe and effective.

How does the staffing shortage at Lagos PCN affect everyday consumers?
Fewer inspectors mean delayed inspections, allowing sub‑standard or counterfeit drugs to stay on shelves longer, increasing health risks.

What steps are being taken to fill the PCN council vacancy?
The federal Ministry of Health has promised a new council appointment by September 2026, and lawmakers are considering a law to enforce minimum staffing levels.

Source: dailypost.ng