Examining the Role of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in Regulating the Medical Profession in Nigeria

Abstract

Medical negligence is the failure of a medical practitioner to exercise a reasonable degree of skill and care in treating a patient. Over the years, aggrieved patients’ prospect of obtaining redress in complaints of alleged medical negligence needed a boost in Nigeria. This was in view of some disappointing responses of the medical professions’ regulatory bodies, particularly the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council (Council), to medical complaints. The Council had been perceived as unduly protective of the medical professionals rather than patients for too long. The establishment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), an agency of Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (FCCPA), came as a welcome relief to patients in the handling of rising cases of medical negligence. The FCCPC looks into the medical profession through the lens of a neutral watchdog whose sole quest is to achieve safe medical practices and consumer satisfaction. However, a major problem ensued: the Council adopted an uncooperative stance with the FCCPC. This paper, therefore, investigates FCCPC’s functions, powers, and the incursion of FCCPC into medical regulation and concludes that this intervention is timely, desirable and helpful for patient safety. The paper was researched, adopting a doctrinal methodology. It recommends that though the FCCPC does not establish medical standards, Council could view its role in a complementary and collaborative capacity towards a common goal of consumer protection and promotion of qualitative healthcare in Nigeria.