By Bassey Udo
Coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon sign an Executive Order to significantly reduce the cost of drugs and pharmaceutical products in the country.
The minister stated this at the ministerial press briefing series which he addressed alongside the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, in Abuja.
While highlighting the significant progress achieved in the health sector under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration since May 2023, Pate said that despite the departure of multinational companies from the country, the government is committed to reducing the cost of drugs and pharmaceutical products.
He said an Executive Order by President Tinubu was forthcoming to significantly reduce the cost of drugs and pharmaceutical products in the country.”
“The rising cost of pharmaceuticals is a pressing concern, and we are taking decisive action to address this issue. An Executive Order will soon be issued to curb escalating drug prices in the short term, while our mid to long-term goal involves the domestication of imported drugs within the next three years, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade.
“In a strategic move to fortify the pharmaceutical infrastructure across the nation, the federal government initiated the construction of pharmaceutical-grade warehouses in 21 states in collaboration with Drug Management Agencies,” said Pate.
