The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has raised concerns over the growing security implications of illegal activities within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, calling for stronger government control of the nation’s medicine supply system.

The society’s president, Ayuba Tanko, said drug diversion, counterfeit products and illicit trafficking required attention beyond the health sector, urging the Federal Government to recognise pharmaceutical insecurity as a national security issue, The Guardian reported.

Speaking at the opening of the PSN’s 99th National Conference, Ijele 2026, in Awka, Anambra State, Tanko advocated the creation of a Federal Drug Management Agency with legal backing to oversee medicine procurement, storage and distribution.

He also raised objections to the proposed Medipool procurement arrangement, warning against allowing a private operator to assume extensive responsibility for supplying medicines to public health facilities. While acknowledging the potential of group purchasing to reduce costs and improve availability, he insisted that government must maintain control over the process, particularly where controlled and psychoactive substances are involved.

The conference also featured calls for stronger professional regulation and local pharmaceutical production. Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, urged pharmacists to support efforts to eliminate fake medicines and unqualified operators, while disclosing plans to develop pharmaceutical infrastructure in Oba, Idemili South, including a Coordinated Wholesale Centre expected to be completed early next year.

Similarly, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, called for greater investment across the domestic pharmaceutical value chain, including research, raw material sourcing, manufacturing and quality control, while encouraging wider patronage of medicines produced locally.