Experts Warn Substandard Medicines Pose Significant Threat to Nigeria’s Public Health

Pharmaceutical experts such as the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh and others, have lamented the danger of substandard medicines warning that it has significant threat to public health.

This, according to them, is because poor quality drugs can be ineffective, leading to treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, and even harmful side effects.

Speaking in Lagos at the exhibition and conference of MedLab West Africa in collaboration with Pharmaconex by Informa market, Usifoh said ensuring the availability of high-quality medicines was essential to protect patients and maintain the effectiveness of treatment regimens.

According to him, “A reliable supply chain of safe and effective medicines is essential for the functioning of healthcare systems in the region. Strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, improving regulatory systems, and investing in healthcare infrastructure are vital to ensure the availability of medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Access to essential medicines is critical for the control and management of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other prevalent diseases in the region,” he said.

He maintained that access to medicines was a key component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

Addressing the challenges related to access to medicines Usifoh said it requires a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration between governments, international organisations, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to ensure that all individuals have access to the medicines they need to live healthy and productive lives.

His words: “Access to medicines is a fundamental human right. If medicines are accessible and affordable, they save lives by reducing mortality and morbidity associated with acute and chronic diseases. WHO recommends that all countries voluntarily reach the minimum target of 80 percent availability of medicines by 2025.”

For the Group Exhibition Director, Informa Markets Egypt for Pharmaconex West Africa, Mostapha Khalil said they aim to accelerate medicine discovery, development and manufacturing ultimately improving access to life-saving medication for all.

However, urging the country to seek strategic partnership with countries like Egypt, the National Chairman, Industrial Pharmacist of Nigeria, Kenneth Onuegbu, said gaps in production of essential medicines requires the country to take urgent action.

He warned of gaps like lack of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production and low vaccine production capabilities “should make the country consider partnering with a country like Egypt with the capabilities, technology. While they will leverage on our youthful population for labour.”

“We need knowledge partners to bolster products of high tech, including injectables, low aerosols production capabilities and over dependence on foreign hands for machineries.”