The advent of telemedicine has redefined healthcare delivery globally, and Nigeria is no exception. Telemedicine emerged as a result of technological advancements and its increasing integration into daily life. It involves the use of telecommunications and digital technologies to deliver clinical care to patients remotely. In essence, telemedicine facilitates the delivery, receipt, and management of healthcare services through virtual platforms, enabling medical consultations, diagnoses, and treatments without requiring physical proximity between healthcare providers and patients. The adoption of telemedicine in Nigeria gained significant momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted physical movement and limited access to traditional in-person healthcare services. As a result, many individuals turned to remote consultations and virtual care as a safer and more accessible alternative. Despite this success, it also raises regulatory concerns, chief among them are price control, fair competition, and equitable access; therefore, there is a need for a strong legal and regulatory framework to guide activities in the telemedicine ecosystem to ensure higher accessibility, affordability and accountability.
REGULATING TELEMEDICINE IN NIGERIA’S PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET: BALANCING PRICE CONTROL, COMPETITION, AND ACCESSIBILITY.
