Perhaps one of the most tragic aspects of the economic recession Nigeria is currently undergoing is the way in which the cost of drugs has risen out of the reach of the average citizen, with prices reaching up to 500 per cent of what they used to cost in some cases.
The drastic reduction in the country’s oil receipts has put pressure on the naira’s value in relation to the dollar, which has in turn increased the costs of drugs and pharmaceutical raw materials, both of which are largely imported. Many essential drugs, such as anti-malarials, antibiotics and pain-killers, as well as more sophisticated medicines like anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs have in some cases nearly quadrupled in price.
The consequences are alarming in their implications. Companies that import drugs have become much more discriminating as to which ones to import, thereby triggering a scarcity in drugs that are not as fast-moving as others, even though they may be essential. The practice of breaking up medicines hitherto sold only in packs is becoming more widespread, tempting patients not to take the complete dosages. The business of selling fake and expired drugs, an ever-recurring problem, has become even more profitable than before.
As is usual in these situations, desperate patients are resorting to often-dubious solutions. While many aspects of traditional medicine have proven their efficacy over time, there can be little doubt that quacks and charlatans will definitely use the opportunity to defraud many Nigerians. Self-medication, despite its obvious dangers, is also likely to become a preferred option for citizens who are unable to afford the hefty increases in the prices of drugs.
In essence, Nigeria confronts the triple crisis of availability, affordability and safety as a result of the spike in the cost of drugs. If it is not to lead to an epidemic of unnecessary deaths, chronic diseases and debilitating injuries, governments at the federal, state and local government levels must develop viable strategies to confront the problem head-on.
One of the most important actions to take in this regard is the full enforcement of the country’s National Drug Policy (NDP). This comprehensive document, which has undergone careful revision since it was first launched in 1990, contains detailed measures relating to drug selection, drug procurement, a drug revolving fund scheme, pricing policy, storage and distribution.
Successive administrations have failed to adhere to many of the recommendations of the NDP. High oil prices meant that drugs the country had the capacity to produce locally were imported. Politicians routinely went abroad for even the most routine medical procedures. Rampant smuggling and counterfeiting meant that the local market was flooded with all kinds of drugs, to the detriment of local manufacturers.
If prices are to drop to more tolerable levels, it is essential that the country significantly increase its capacity to manufacture a substantial portion of the essential drugs it requires. Much of the drug-cost crisis is due to the heavy reliance on imported finished products and raw materials. More concessions and subsidies should be granted to local pharmaceutical industries to enable them cushion the effects of a harsh operating environment and help them return to profitability. Ensuring that more petroleum refineries are established would also help to provide many of the raw materials that are currently being imported.
The country must also renew its war on fake and expired drugs. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should return to the heights it attained under the leadership of the late Professor Dora Akunyili. Greater efforts must be made to ensure that smuggled drugs do not find their way into local markets. Public enlightenment campaigns should educate the populace on the dangers of drug misuse, self-medication and failure to complete recommended dosages.
The battle to ensure that the drugs used in Nigeria are available, affordable and safe will only succeed if everyone makes a commitment to winning it.
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Masses life are in danger children are dying everyday some don’t come to hospital because dey dont have money maternal and mortality rate is alarming and both d executive and legislator are stealing money day and night big men are traveling for medical treatment abroad, come rain come sun masses are d people dat voted this people into power now we can see what we suffer common paracetamol some can’t buy it talk less of blood tonic what next? is this what we vote for. For a minor operation in d hospital u pay a lot after paying are u getting good drugs when some of d wound get broken after surgery due to fake drugs, are we still a country dat care for is citizens or after individual pocket.