By Our Reporter
Prices of Drugs in Nigeria have continued to soar in spite of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s executive order, initiated on June 30.
In June, the President, through the Minister of Health, Muhammed Ali Pate, announced the executive order designed to make drugs and pharmaceutical products across the country more affordable.
The initiative was expected to encourage local drug production by removing import tariffs, excise duties, and Value Added Tax on raw materials, machinery, and pharmaceutical products.
Ali Pate had announced the development in a statement he personally shared on his X account.
“The Order introduces zero tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance our local manufacturers’ competitiveness,” he wrote.
The order followed Federal Executive Council’s approval of Medipool for competitive pricing and distribution of essential medicines nationwide.
However, despite the policy’s implementation, drug prices remain on the rise.
A recent market survey showed that insulin rose by 29 percent from N14,000 in June 2024 to N18,000 in August 2025, while a glucometer spiked 41 percent from N20,500 to N29,000.
Hypertension patients are also hit hard, as metformin increased by 30 percent from N500 to N650, and amlodipine climbed 33 percent from N1,800 to N2,400. Exforge, another hypertension drug, recorded an 83 percent jump from N32,800 to N60,000.
Malaria drugs were not spared, with Coartem doubling by 124 percent from N3,800 to N8,500, Artesunate injection rising 56 percent from N1,600 to N2,500, and Lokmal tablet climbing 104 percent from N1,200 to N2,450.
On the flip side, some medicines witnessed price drops. Augmentin fell by 24 percent, from N18,500 in June 2024 to N14,000 in August 2025, while Ventolin inhaler dipped 12 percent from N8,500 to N7,500.
