The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of nigeria“>Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, MAW, has urged the Federal Government to urgently invest in local manufacturing of hiv“>HIV drugs and commodities, warning that nigeria“>Nigeria’s hiv“>HIV response faces serious risks as foreign donor funding declines.
In a statement issued on Monday, 1 December 2025, to mark World hiv“>HIV Day themed “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” Ezeh said nigeria“>Nigeria must drastically reduce its dependence on external support to avoid major setbacks in hiv“>HIV treatment and prevention.
“The recent cut in funding support from the United States Government should awaken the Federal Government of nigeria“>Nigeria to take decisive action,” he said.
Ezeh noted that nigeria“>Nigeria’s hiv“>HIV response has historically demonstrated resilience through innovation, partnerships, and advocacy. But he cautioned that shifting geopolitical realities and shrinking funding demand a strategic overhaul.
“Today’s funding uncertainties require nigeria“>Nigeria to rethink, rebuild, and rise with renewed strategies grounded in evidence-based policymaking, innovation, and multi-sectoral collaboration,” he said.
To underscore the urgency, Ezeh highlighted grim national statistics: an estimated 1,400 new hiv“>HIV infections and 50,000 AIDS-related deaths weekly in 2023, with 1.9 million Nigerians currently living with hiv“>HIV.
First, he called for immediate federal approval of Cabotegravir 600 mg and Rilpivirine 900 mg—two long-acting injectable drugs already improving lives in other countries. Unlike daily pills, these injectables are taken just a few times a year, making treatment easier and more consistent for patients who struggle with pill burden or stigma.
He emphasized that community pharmacists already support hiv“>HIV testing, counselling, and ARV refills. Strengthening their roles, he said, will improve case finding, treatment continuity, and accurate national reporting, especially critical amid global funding uncertainties.
Ezeh issued a direct appeal for investment in domestic production of antiretrovirals, diagnostic kits, and consumables to guarantee sustainability, reduce reliance on donors, and prevent supply disruptions.
For HIV patients, these disruptions can result in missed doses, treatment failure, resistance, and potentially preventable health crises. Local production, he claimed, would ensure stability and sustainability.
“As we mark World hiv“>HIV Day, the Association extends warm solidarity to all people living with hiv“>HIV and appreciation to every stakeholder committed to ending this epidemic. May today inspire renewed, transformative action,” he said.
The ACPN maintained that with external funding shrinking, local manufacturing and community pharmacy integration must become national priorities to protect treatment continuity and strengthen nigeria“>Nigeria’s health“>health system resilience.
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