Nigerians Decry Soaring Drug Prices, Call for Government Action
Many Nigerians are expressing concern over the rising prices of drugs and are calling for urgent intervention from the Federal Government.
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, highlighting their struggles with the escalating costs of medications. They described the situation as unsustainable, with prices soaring for both prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, making them unaffordable and scarce.
The recent exits of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc in August 2023 and Sanofi pharmaceutical multinational in November 2023 from Nigeria have further exacerbated the price hike in medications.
At a major pharmacy visited by NAN, the prices of various drugs have skyrocketed. For example, Augmentin 625mg and 1g are now selling for N12,300 and N13,300, respectively, compared to the previous prices of N3,000 to N5,000. Similarly, Ventolin inhaler is selling at N8,870, up from N2,000, while Seretide inhaler is now priced at N31,950, previously N8,000.
Stella Ekundayo, a businesswoman and mother of three, expressed her frustration, stating that the increasing prices of drugs, particularly for malaria and paracetamol, are unbearable. She called on the government to intervene, highlighting the dire situation faced by Nigerians.
Amina Abdullahi, a school teacher and ulcer patient, emphasized the need for the government to address the soaring drug prices, which have more than doubled for some medications she requires. She explained the challenges of managing her budget to afford these essential drugs amidst other expenses.
Mr Tola Bode, a businessman, highlighted the alarming increase in prices for high blood pressure drugs, expressing concern about the sustainability of continuously rising costs.
Ms Rachael Abujah, Vice-President of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, raised concerns about the impact of these price hikes on vulnerable individuals, especially children with conditions like asthma. She urged immediate government action to address the crisis to prevent further suffering and deaths.
The significant increase in drug prices has forced some FCT residents to turn to herbal concoctions known as “Agbo” for treatment. This traditional alternative is becoming more popular as people seek more affordable healthcare options amidst the economic challenges.
Pharmacist Jelili Kilani, Deputy Director of the Pharmacy Department at National Hospital Abuja, attributed the price hikes to factors such as the high cost of foreign exchange, production costs for locally made drugs, and bureaucratic processes affecting drug approval and supply.
The Guardian News
