The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has opposed the Federal Government proposed arrangement with Medipool for the procurement and distribution of medicines to public health facilities.

The society warned that handing over the pharmaceutical supply chain to a private company could weaken regulatory oversight and threaten national security.

The society said the arrangement could undermine collaboration between government and regulatory agencies responsible for controlling the distribution of medicines. These include the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

PSN President Ayuba Tanko stated this at the opening ceremony of the society ongoing 99th Annual National Conference, with the theme IJELE 2026, held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State. He acknowledged that the proposed National Group Purchasing Organisation was intended to reduce the cost of essential medicines, prevent stock outs, promote transparent procurement and support local pharmaceutical manufacturers.

However, he said the implementation of the arrangement had generated concerns over its compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, the PCN Act 2022 and the National Health Act 2014. He argued that drugs were not ordinary commodities and that government must retain direct control over their procurement, storage, distribution and dispensing, especially controlled medicines.

Tanko said a model that hands the supply chain of all public facilities in Nigeria to a private company runs counter to that intent. He also questioned the absence of clear provisions in agreements with Medipool, making the company liable for counterfeit products supplied by third parties. He noted that NAFDAC destroyed fake and substandard products worth about N1.5tn between June 2025 and June 2026 and secured 64 convictions.

He stressed that the society was not opposed to the group purchasing organisation concept but was concerned about the structure and legality of the proposed arrangement. He noted that group purchasing organisations in countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Singapore and Saudi Arabia were benchmarked in developing the Medipool proposal, but some successful models, including Kenya KEMSA, were public bodies established by law rather than private concessions.

The PSN recommended that the Federal Government fast track the passage of the Federal Drug Revolving Fund and Drug Management Agency Bill to provide a legal framework for medicine procurement and distribution. It proposed that the agency should serve as the central purchasing and supply platform, while Medipool involvement, if retained, should be limited to pooled price negotiations or framework supply arrangements selected competitively and on a non exclusive basis.