Lagos: The Lagos State Government and the Society for Family Health are expanding family planning access for residents through online pharmacies to achieve a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable health system. Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Health, said this at the E-Pharmacy for Family Planning Project First Phase Dissemination on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was themed, ‘The Digital Shift: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Access and Delivery Through e-Pharmacies’. An e-pharmacy, also known as an online pharmacy, is a pharmacy that operates over the internet, allowing customers to purchase medications and other health-related products online. The e-Pharmacy for Family Planning Project (ePharma4FP) seeks to improve access to high-quality family planning (FP) products, information/counseling, and services for women in Lagos.
E-Pharmacies have emerged as a critical solution to bridge gaps in access and delivery as health systems face surging demands to provide safe, efficient, accessible, and affordable medicines and health services for all. Ogunyemi emphasized that the ePharma4FP project was critical as the state strives to build a more inclusive, efficient, and equitable health system, particularly in reproductive health and family planning. She noted that access to contraceptives and essential health commodities is more than a health service but a fundamental right that empowers women, supports families, and strengthens communities.
Ogunyemi highlighted the role of technology and data in reshaping healthcare services. By enabling digital access to these services, e-pharmacies are breaking down barriers that have often stood in the way of progress. She described the e-pharmacy project for family planning as a demonstration of what can be achieved through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making led by the Society for Family Health. The initiative is generating evidence on how e-pharmacy models can be scaled across Nigeria to ensure a steady supply of medications.
The state’s commitment to digital health transformation and improving reproductive health outcomes was restated by Ogunyemi. She disclosed that the findings from the project would play a vital role in informing policies, strengthening regulation, and guiding future investments in digital health systems. Ogunyemi commended the Gates Foundation for funding the project, emphasizing that the foundation’s dedication and innovation were a footstool for a more accessible, responsive, and resilient health system.
Dr. Segun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, noted that the project reflected innovation and equity that brings private health services closer to communities within the state. Ogboye emphasized the importance of strengthening the policy and regulation environment for digital health services to discourage quackery.
Mr. Samuel Onoja, representative of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), described the initiative as a strategic step toward inclusive healthcare delivery in Lagos. Dr. Akin Akinbajo, a public health physician with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), stated that the private sector was crucial to the adoption of modern contraception. UNFPA is working with the Federal Government and states to deepen access to family planning services.
Mr. Kunle Daramola, State Consultant, Gates Foundation, lauded Lagos State’s strides in family planning, indicating that the project would help reduce maternal mortality and improve the state’s health indices. Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director, Strategy and Growth, SFH, noted that Lagos State’s support for the e-Pharmacy initiative was a testament to its commitment to improving healthcare access. She emphasized that trained pharmacists are often the first point of contact for health services for the majority of residents.
Dr. Uchenna Okafor, Chief of Party, E-Pharma for Family Planning Project, SFH, said the project is at the forefront of integrating e-Pharmacy solutions into health systems. The project leverages the HealthPlus e-pharmacy platform to deliver FP products, information, and counseling. She disclosed that digital health has seen rapid growth globally, with Nigeria and Lagos showing significant adoption.
Okafor identified challenges such as prescription abuse, counterfeit drugs, and limited trust. She highlighted the need for immediate action to address regulatory gaps and enhance collaboration for a cohesive e-pharmacy ecosystem. Recommendations include improved investment in awareness programs, establishing a feedback mechanism, and developing a National Electronic Pharmacy Platform.
Okafor stated that the project is working with PCN and stakeholders to bridge identified gaps. NAN reports that the project, funded by the Gates Foundation, focuses on generating evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of optimizing e-pharmacy models to deliver family planning services in Lagos. The Epharma4FP project is implemented by a consortium led by the Society for Family Health, including Busara Centre for Behavioural Research, HealthPlus Pharmacy, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation (PSNF).
