Group Calls for Tighter Pharmaceutical Regulation to Tackle Drug Abuse

Omolabake Fasogbon

The federal government has been charged to tighten the noose around pharmaceutical supply chain to curb rising scourge of drug abuse in the country.
A group of experts from a health tech company, Remedial Health, who paid a courtesy call to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) in Abuja,recently, reiterated this, while expressing concern on rising incident.

The organisation also explored a strategic alliance with the agency to tackle the issue at its root.
Speaking, CEO and co-founder of Remedial Health, Pharm. Samuel Okwuada, who  lauded efforts by the agency, however pointed out  that loopholes in the pharmaceutical value chain continue to fuel spread of unregulated and counterfeit drugs.

He expressed that drug abuse remained a significant public health issue in Nigeria, the rate of occurrence at which he said nearly triple  global average of 5.5 per cent.
He  emphasised use of more technology  to enhance transparency and compliance in drug distribution, affirming its potency  against misuse, while ensuring access to safe and verified pharmaceutical products.

He said, “Drug abuse is a critical public health issue in Nigeria, affecting millions and underscoring the urgent need for secure and transparent pharmaceutical supply chains. At Remedial Health, we are dedicated to building systems that prevent unregulated and counterfeit drugs from reaching communities, and we believe that partnerships with organisations like the NDLEA are essential to achieving this goal.

Responding, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the organisation’s commitment to leveraging technology to streamline pharmaceutical supply chains.

He acknowedged private-sector engagement to get to the root of drug abuse in the country.