The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has expressed alarm over the Federal Government’s decision to reverse the ban on producing and distributing alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume containers below 200ml. Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, ACPN National Chairman, described the policy reversal as a “troubling setback” for public health regulation in Nigeria.
The original ban, enforced by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), aimed to reduce alcohol-related harm, particularly among minors. Empirical data links alcohol misuse to 29% of preventable deaths and nearly half of road traffic accidents in Nigeria.
*Key Concerns:*
– *Increased Access*: Sachet alcohol facilitates underage consumption and high-frequency use among vulnerable populations.
– *Public Health Risks*: Alcohol misuse contributes to liver disease, cancer, and fatal crashes.
– *Economic Burden*: Long-term social and economic costs of alcohol-related harm outweigh temporary industry benefits.
The ACPN emphasizes that protecting children and upholding evidence-based public policy should take precedence over commercial interests. NAFDAC had previously announced the ban, citing the need to safeguard public health, especially for children and young adults.
