The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare pharmaceutical insecurity a national security threat, warning that the illegal distribution of controlled medicines could be fuelling banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes.
The society also urged the Federal Government to replace open drug markets with licensed Coordinated Wholesale Centres to strengthen oversight of the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines across the country.
PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, made the demands in Awka, Anambra State, while delivering his presidential address at the opening of the society’s 99th Annual National Conference, tagged PSN-IJELE 2026.
Tanko argued that medicines should not be treated as ordinary commercial goods because their circulation has significant implications for public health, regulation and national security.
He specifically raised concerns about the diversion and abuse of controlled drugs, including tramadol and pentazocine, which he said were associated with the country’s worsening security challenges.
Citing findings attributed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the PSN president warned that weak monitoring systems and unregulated drug markets create opportunities for smuggling and the supply of medicines to criminal networks.
He also expressed concern about counterfeit and substandard medicines entering the country, pointing to the need for stronger government supervision and more effective pharmaceutical distribution systems.
As part of its proposed solutions, the society called for the integration of more than 10,000 community pharmacists into Nigeria’s national security framework. It said pharmacists could help identify suspicious pharmaceutical activities and provide early warnings to relevant authorities.
The PSN further recommended expanding the National Health Insurance Authority’s Pharmacy First initiative, establishing a special fund to combat illicit financial flows in healthcare and accelerating the proposed Federal Drug Revolving Fund and Drug Management Agency Bill.
The society also advocated the establishment of a presidential committee on the pharmaceutical sector to improve coordination among government institutions and regulatory agencies.
Beyond pharmaceutical security, Tanko commended organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Health Sector Unions, over progress in negotiations concerning outstanding health workers’ allowances and the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
According to him, an agreement had been reached for the payment of 19 months’ outstanding allowances in three instalments over three months, beginning in December 2026.
The PSN maintained that stronger regulation of medicine distribution is necessary to protect Nigerians from unsafe drugs while preventing the diversion of controlled medicines into illegal supply networks.
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