APC Leader Appeals to Tinubu to ensure enforcement of Executive Order on Medical Consumables

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An earlier executive order signed by President Bola Tinubu for the removal of tariffs on medical consumables and equipment is yet to yield the desired results. The executive order signed last year was intended to make affordable for people the prices of medical consumables and relevant equipment in the country. With it tariffs, excise duties and the value added tax, VAT were removed on machines and raw materials for local production of drugs and medical consumables. The step was taken to ensure that Nigerians would not have to pay exorbitant costs for purchases and services in the sector. But the objective is yet to be met, as inflation has forced high rates on people in need of these things. This has become a great concern to many, among whom is Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. He has, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to “direct full enforcement of the executive order” on reduction in prices of essential medical consumables and machine in the country. Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo. He 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.Oyintiloye noted that the order, which introduces 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 although the Nigeria Customs Service announced in March 26, 2025, that it had commenced the implementation of the executive order, drug prices have continued to soar. According to the politician, 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 reduce drug prices.”He is worried that this has had a debilitating effect on many Nigerians who are still struggling to cope with the surge in drug prices.He said, “I want to appeal to the president to see to the implementation of his executive order on drug prices for the benefits 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”.While commending the President for subsidising the cost of dialysis in federal hospitals across Nigeria, Oyintiloye said 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 subsidised 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.He concluded that ” 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.”