ACPN Chair Urges Local Production of HIV Drugs

Esther Oluku

The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, has called for urgent government investment in the local manufacturing of HIV/AIDS drugs and commodities as Nigeria marked World HIV Day on Monday, 1 December 2025.

In a statement commemorating the day, Ezeh urged the Federal Government to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on international donors, warning that recent funding cuts threaten hard-won progress in HIV service delivery.

Referencing this year’s theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”, he said Nigeria must respond decisively to emerging challenges.

“The recent cut in funding support from the United States Government should awaken the Federal Government of Nigeria to take decisive action,” he said. “Increased local investment and stronger policy commitment are crucial if we are to prevent major setbacks in HIV services across the country.”

Ezeh described Nigeria’s HIV response as one that has historically been shaped by resilience, innovation, partnerships, and persistent advocacy. However, he cautioned that shifting geopolitical realities and donor uncertainties now require fresh approaches grounded in evidence-based policymaking and multi-sectoral collaboration.

To underscore the urgency, he cited troubling statistics: in 2023, Nigeria recorded an estimated 1,400 new HIV infections and 50,000 AIDS-related deaths each week, with about 1.9 million people currently living with the virus.

Ezeh therefore called on the government to approve the use of long-acting injectable antiretroviral medications such as Cabotegravir 600 mg and Rilpivirine 900 mg for eligible patients, noting that the reduced dosing frequency would ease pill burden and improve adherence.

He also stressed the importance of deepening partnerships with community pharmacists, who already contribute significantly to HIV testing, counselling, and antiretroviral refills. Strengthening their integration into national HIV programmes, he said, would enhance case identification, sustain treatment continuity, and support more accurate national data reporting, particularly in the face of global funding cuts.

In addition, he issued a strong call for investment in the local production of antiretrovirals, diagnostic kits, and other HIV commodities. According to him, boosting local manufacturing capacity is vital for ensuring sustainability, reducing donor dependency, and protecting uninterrupted service delivery nationwide.

Ezeh extended solidarity to people living with HIV and appreciation to stakeholders working to end the epidemic. He urged renewed national commitment, saying; “May today remind us of our collective responsibility and inspire renewed, transformative action.”