A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the full enforcement of his executive order aimed at reducing the prices of essential medical consumables across Nigeria.
Oyintiloye, a member of the now-defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council and former lawmaker, made the appeal during an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The APC stalwart expressed concern that despite the President’s executive order issued in June 2024 — which sought to ease the financial burden on patients by reducing tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials used in drug production — many life-saving medicines remain prohibitively expensive.
“The executive order was designed to reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers, but we are yet to see the desired impact on drug prices,” Oyintiloye said.
He noted that although the Nigeria Customs Service announced on 26 March 2025 that it had begun implementing the executive order, prices of crucial medications such as Insulin, Metformin, and Exforge continue to soar.
“While the prices of some medicines like Augmentin and Ventolin inhalers have experienced a slight drop, many other critical drugs remain unaffordable for the average Nigerian,” he added.
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Oyintiloye urged the President to take urgent steps to ensure the full realisation of the executive order’s objectives to enable local pharmaceutical companies to reduce drug prices, thereby easing the financial strain on Nigerian patients.
“Many Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the rising cost of medicines. I appeal to the President to see to the full implementation of his order for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he stated.
In addition to his call on drug price reduction, Oyintiloye praised President Tinubu for subsidising kidney dialysis treatments in federal hospitals nationwide. He highlighted that the cost of a single dialysis session has been reduced from an average of ₦50,000 to a subsidised rate of ₦12,000.
“This subsidy will bring significant financial relief to many Nigerians battling kidney disease. It reflects the President’s commitment to providing quality healthcare,” he said.
The APC chieftain urged Nigerians to appreciate the President’s healthcare initiatives and to continue supporting his administration beyond its current tenure.
“The President must be commended for his passion for the well-being of Nigerians,” Oyintiloye concluded.
