The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued a powerful call for the country to start producing its own HIV medications and related medical supplies. This urgent appeal was made on December 2, 2025, as the world commemorated World HIV Day.
Funding Cuts Spark Call for Self-Reliance
In a statement marking the day, the National Chairman of the ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, warned that recent reductions in international funding make a strong local commitment critical. He pointed directly to recent cuts in funding support from the United States Government as a wake-up call for Nigerian authorities.
Ezeh stressed that increased local investment and stronger policy commitment are now essential to prevent major setbacks in HIV services across the nation. He described Nigeria's HIV response as historically resilient but cautioned that the current global situation demands fresh strategies.
Alarming Statistics Underline the Urgency
The ACPN chairman highlighted deeply concerning data to emphasize the need for immediate action. He revealed that in 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded an estimated 1,400 new HIV infections every week. The weekly toll also included 50,000 AIDS-related deaths.
Currently, 1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV. These figures underscore the scale of the challenge and the critical importance of maintaining and improving treatment services.
Three-Point Plan for a Sustainable HIV Response
To translate concern into concrete policy, Pharm. Ezeh presented a three-part recommendation from the ACPN.
First, he urged the federal government to approve and adopt long-acting injectable antiretroviral regimens, specifically mentioning Cabotegravir 600 mg and Rilpivirine 900 mg for eligible patients. He explained that these injectables, administered every few months, would ease the daily pill burden and significantly improve treatment adherence.
Second, Ezeh called for a deeper partnership with community pharmacists across Nigeria. He argued that these healthcare professionals are already on the front lines, providing HIV testing, counselling, and antiretroviral refills. A more formal and integrated role would enhance case identification, ensure treatment continuity, and improve the accuracy of national health data.
Third, and most central to the ACPN's message, is the promotion of local manufacturing. The association issued a direct call for government investment in domestic production of antiretroviral drugs, diagnostic kits, and other medical consumables. This move is seen as the only way to ensure long-term sustainability, reduce dangerous external dependency, and safeguard uninterrupted service delivery for millions of Nigerians.
A Final Message of Solidarity and Resolve
Pharm. Ezeh concluded the statement by extending the ACPN's solidarity to all people living with HIV in Nigeria. He also thanked every stakeholder committed to ending the epidemic.
He framed World HIV Day not just as a moment of remembrance, but as an inspiration for renewed and transformative action. The ACPN's clear message is that Nigeria must now take decisive control of its HIV future through innovation, evidence-based policy, and multi-sectoral collaboration.
