BY: GODFREY GABRIEL
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria has condemned the Federal Government’s decision to reverse the ban on sachet and sub-200 milliliter alcoholic beverages.
National Chairman of the association, Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, described the move as a major setback for public health regulation and child protection in Nigeria.
He said the original directive was issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control based on evidence-driven harm-reduction strategies.
The policy, introduced in 2018 in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, provided a five-year transition period for manufacturers.
The deadline was initially set for January 2024 and later extended to December 2025 to allow companies adjust production and distribution systems.
Ezeh said the phased approach was consultative and industry-accommodating, making the reversal troubling and inconsistent.
He cited data linking alcohol misuse to 29 percent of preventable deaths in Nigeria and nearly half of all road traffic accidents.
According to him, over 60,000 alcohol-related deaths were recorded in 2016 alone, including cases of liver disease, cancers and fatal crashes.
The ACPN chairman identified cheap sachet alcohol as a key driver of underage drinking due to its affordability, portability and ease of concealment.
He warned that minors can independently purchase the small-volume drinks, increasing vulnerability among young people.
Ezeh also cautioned that prioritizing commercial interests over public health weakens regulatory credibility and corporate social responsibility.
He urged the government to place child protection, regulatory integrity and evidence-based policy above profit considerations.
