AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS FOR ONLINE SALE OF PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Proliferation of adulterated and substandard pharmaceutical drugs and unverified alternative medicine products, substances and procedures in online platforms is a vice that is currently eating into the fabrics of Nigerian system mainly enabled by weak legal and regulatory regime saddled with the task. Advertisement and sale of drugs and alternative medicine products are often done by non medical practitioners. This leads to exposing consumers to health challenges and sometimes death caused by negative reactions to these drugs and substances. The paper undertook a critical examination of the existing legal and regulatory frameworks for online sale, advertisement and general e-commerce including pharmaceutical drugs and alternative medicine in Nigeria using the doctrinal method of research to examine the relevant laws. The paper observes that the frameworks are marred with gaps and shortcomings which has negatively affected the efficiency of the regulators such as lack of power of Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria to proceed against non professional practitioners. The paper concludes by suggesting an amendment of the existing legal frameworks so as to bring it in line with the modern day technological advanced system.