The House of Representatives has called on key health and regulatory agencies to intensify efforts against online marketers of pharmaceutical products, citing rising risks to public health.
The agencies highlighted include the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and the Consumer Protection Council.
The House urged the Ministry of Health to direct the PCN and NMA to commence immediate registration and licensing of all online healthcare service providers, while monitoring online marketplaces to ensure sellers are properly registered.
Lawmakers also stressed that internet-based platforms must display their names and addresses publicly, operate in line with global best practices, and comply with telecommunication regulations. Collaboration with agencies such as NAFDAC, MDCN, NDLEA, and NCC was recommended to strengthen oversight of online pharmacies and healthcare platforms in Nigeria.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Checkmate the Activities of Fraudulent Internet-Based Pharmaceutical Service Providers to Protect Consumers in Nigeria,” moved by Mr. Chukwugozie Nwachukwu.
In presenting the motion, Nwachukwu noted that Nigerians are increasingly exposed to fake and substandard drugs from untraceable online marketers, leading to serious health risks, drug resistance, and, in some cases, death. He highlighted the growth of online drug sales and prescriptions as a potential threat to public security and youth moral standards.
The motion also called for public databases listing the addresses and locations of online drug sellers and requiring endorsements on products by qualified medical professionals to protect consumers and facilitate legal redress.
Following adoption, the House mandated the NAFDAC Committee to ensure strict compliance with the motion’s directives.
