Impact of regulatory policy changes on access to medicine in Nigeria, Africa

This paper explores the impact of regulatory policy changes on access to medicines in Nigeria, examining both the positive advancements and the challenges that have arisen. Recent reforms have accelerated access to innovative therapies through streamlined drug approval processes and improved pharmacovigilance measures, ensuring higher quality and safer medicines for the population. Furthermore, Nigeria's participation in regional initiatives like the African Medicines Agency (AMA) has fostered regulatory harmonization, improving cross-border medicine access across Africa. However, these regulatory changes have also placed financial burdens on local manufacturers, hindered by high compliance costs and registration fees. Additionally, intellectual property protections under TRIPS have delayed the availability of affordable generic medicines, increasing the country's reliance on imports. The paper highlights key recommendations for Nigeria to balance regulatory stringency with access to affordable medicines, including promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, refining intellectual property policies, and enhancing the capacity of regulatory agencies. Continuous reform and regional collaboration are essential to ensuring equitable access to medicines in Nigeria, supporting the nation's response to public health challenges, and fostering long-term improvements in healthcare outcomes.