A former Osun State lawmaker, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the strict enforcement of the executive order reducing prices of essential drugs and medical equipment.
Oyintiloye, who was a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, said many Nigerians were still groaning under the high cost of medicines despite the directive issued in June 2024. The executive order had removed tariffs, excise duties and VAT on key medical consumables and equipment to lower production costs and boost local manufacturers.
Speaking in a statement on Sunday, the former lawmaker for Obokun State Constituency expressed concern that life-saving drugs such as Insulin, Metformin and Exforge remain out of reach for ordinary Nigerians.
“Although the Nigeria Customs Service announced in March that it had started implementing the order, drug prices have not reflected the policy. Only a few medicines like Augmentin and Ventolin inhalers have seen a slight drop, but the prices of many others are still very high,” he said.
Oyintiloye urged Tinubu to act quickly to compel full compliance, stressing that affordable healthcare is a critical need for Nigerians.
“I want to appeal to the president to see to the implementation of his executive order on drug prices for the benefit of Nigerians. There is no doubt that the president is doing everything within his power to provide quality health care delivery. I am optimistic that he will see to this,” he added.
