FG Plans Two-Year Extension for Pharma Executive Order

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to extend the Presidential Executive Order that supports local pharmaceutical manufacturing by an additional two years. This announcement was made by Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, during the opening of the 8th Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo (NPME) 2026 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dr Salako emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing as a means to achieve medicine security, healthcare resilience, and economic growth. He called for increased investment in various areas of pharmaceutical production, including biologics and vaccines.

Pharm. Dr Patrick Ajah, Chairman of NPME 2026, highlighted the importance of local manufacturing for national development, noting that Nigeria's drug consumption has historically been heavily reliant on imports.

Oluwatosin Jolayemi, PMGMAN Chairman, stressed the need for policy consistency to protect industry gains and appealed for the Executive Order's extension to support manufacturers in expanding production capacity.