TUNDE ADELEKE, Osogbo
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to “direct full enforcement of the executive order” on the reduction in prices of essential medical consumables and machines in the country.
Oyintiloye, in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, said that despite the President’s executive order in June 2024 aimed at easing the financial burden of patients regarding drug prices, many life-saving drugs are still priced very high.
He stressed that the order, which introduced zero tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipments, and raw materials to reduce production costs and enhance local manufacturers’ competitiveness, has yet to yield the desired results.
He said that although the Nigeria Customs Service announced on March 26, 2025, that it had commenced the implementation of the executive order, he lamented that drug prices have continued to soar.
According to Oyintiloye, prices of critical drugs such as insulin, Metformin, and Exforge, among others, are still very high.
Oyintiloye, however, added that while prices of medicines such as Augmentin and Ventolin inhaler have slightly dropped, many other important medicines are still priced very high.
He urged the President to “ensure the full implementation of the executive order to enable local manufacturers to reduce drug prices.”
The APC chieftain said that many Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the surge in drug prices.
“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 to Nigerians. And I am optimistic that he will see to this” he said.
He commended the President for subsidising the cost of kidney dialysis in federal hospitals across Nigeria, adding that the move would bring huge financial relief to many Nigerians battling kidney disease.
“By reducing the cost of a single dialysis session from an average of ₦50,000 to a new subsidized rate of ₦12,000, the President’s initiative would also alleviate the suffering of many Nigerians under serious financial pressure.”
Oyintiloye described the subsidy on kidney dialysis as a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to quality healthcare for Nigerians and called on people to reciprocate the gesture by supporting him beyond the current tenure of office.
“The president must be commended for this gesture. It shows that the president is a man who is passionate about the well-being of Nigerians,” he said.
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