The second quarter of 2026 saw significant regulatory and legislative activity across Nigeria’s healthcare sector — from expanded consumer protection powers over healthcare providers to new frameworks for digital pharmacies, health financing, and public health institutions. This edition of the Medical Law Digest covers the key developments.

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EDITION:

Healthcare Accountability Expanded as Court Confirms FCCPC’s Investigative Powers
In a landmark judgment delivered 15 April 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s authority to investigate patient complaints relating to healthcare services. Justice Emeka Nwite held that a healthcare provider offering diagnostic services for reward qualifies as an “undertaking” under the FCCPA 2018, and that the absence of a formal coordination agreement with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria does not suspend the FCCPC’s statutory powers.

NAFDAC Proposes Mandatory Sodium Limits to Combat Diet-Related Diseases
NAFDAC has proposed the Reduction of Sodium in Processed and Pre-Packaged Foods Regulations 2026, introducing mandatory maximum sodium limits across categories such as bread, instant noodles, processed meats, bouillon cubes, and snack foods, with phased reformulation targets aligned to the WHO’s 30% population sodium-reduction goal by 2030.

Breaking the Cost Barrier: Renewed Calls for Public Funding of Sickle Cell Treatment
The Oladipupo Foundation for Sickle Cell has urged the Federal Government to subsidise stem cell transplantation for people living with sickle cell disorder, arguing the procedure’s cost remains prohibitive for most Nigerian families despite its curative potential, and calling for expanded insurance coverage and anti-discrimination protections.

Prescription-Only Antibiotics: Stakeholders Press for Stronger Controls Against Antimicrobial Resistance
The Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI) has called on the Federal Government to prohibit the sale of antibiotics without a valid prescription, citing antimicrobial resistance’s estimated 700,000 annual deaths and urging full implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR.

Public Vigilance as a Regulatory Tool: Lagos Intensifies Campaign Against Medical Quackery
The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has reinforced its campaign against unlicensed healthcare facilities, urging residents to report unaccredited providers and to seek treatment only from facilities displaying HEFAMAA’s official accreditation logo under the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law.

Senate Backs Health Levy Reform to Strengthen Prevention and Healthcare Financing
The Senate has passed the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, replacing the fixed excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-of-retail-price levy, with proceeds earmarked for health promotion, disease prevention, and expanded health insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Mandate Extended to Nigeria’s Digital Workforce
The National Health Insurance Authority has directed operators of app-based transport, food delivery, and logistics platforms to ensure workers engaged through their platforms are enrolled in health insurance schemes, giving effect to the compulsory coverage provisions of the NHIA Act 2022.

Lawmakers Advance Comprehensive Alcohol Control Bill to Tackle Public Health Risks
The House of Representatives has initiated the Control, Regulation and Reduction of Alcohol-Related Harm Bill, seeking to regulate the production, marketing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages nationwide while strengthening protections for minors and other vulnerable groups.

Nigeria Introduces Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Digital Pharmacy Services
The Federal Government has enacted the Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026, replacing the 2021 Online Pharmacy Regulations and formally recognising Electronic Pharmaceutical Service Providers and Electronic Pharmacy Aggregators, alongside a new National Electronic Pharmacy Platform for prescription verification and medicine traceability.

Proposed Public Health Institute Sparks Debate Over Institutional Overlap
The proposed National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases (Establishment) Bill 2025 has drawn objections from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which argues the new institute would duplicate its existing statutory mandate under the NCDC Act 2018.

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