The alarming rise of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is fueling fears among citizens, as many struggle to access genuine medications. Intended to cure diseases or alleviate symptoms, these medications have instead become a source of danger, with fake versions leading to treatment failures, drug resistance, and even death.
Despite efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the battle against counterfeit drug barons remains fierce.
Since assuming office eight years ago, NAFDAC Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye has been at the forefront of this fight, working to sanitize an industry plagued by corruption and weak enforcement of regulations. However, without adequate infrastructure and political will, the challenge persists.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines counterfeit drugs as deliberately mislabeled products that contain little or no active ingredients. Pharmacist Olutayo Ojo warns that ingesting these drugs can have fatal consequences in 70 percent of cases.
He also stresses that prolonged use of fake medications can lead to resistance, making it harder for real treatments to work. Nigerians, he advises, must be cautious about where they purchase their medications.
A recent crackdown by NAFDAC saw the destruction of counterfeit drugs worth over N100 billion at the Moniya dump site in Oyo State, with similar actions carried out in other parts of the country. Yedunni Adenuga, Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, described the syndicates behind fake drugs as criminals bent on endangering lives.
While no single solution can fully eliminate the problem due to the complexity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical distribution network, stricter regulation and enforcement remain critical.
Strengthening NAFDAC’s operations will not only save lives but also restore public confidence in the country’s struggling healthcare system.
