Nigerians are facing a looming threat to their health as the cost of essential pharmaceutical products, including malaria, antibiotics, anti-diabetes, and hypertension drugs, continues to rise. This worrying trend has raised concerns about a potential increase in mortality rates and a decrease in life expectancy.
The escalation in drug prices has been unprecedented, with retail prices skyrocketing by as much as 300% on a daily basis. This surge in pharmaceutical inflation is exacerbating the existing challenges posed by food inflation, which spiked to 40.01% in March.
Recent market surveys have revealed staggering price hikes in commonly used drugs across Nigeria. For instance, the prices of antibiotics and malaria medications like Tavernic have surged from N11,370 to N25,735 since January. Levofloxacin SGS now sells for N1,200, up from N550, while other medications like Terivid tablet 200mg, Coartem 80/480, and Amatem have witnessed significant price increases.
The financial strain on Nigerians, many of whom earn just the minimum wage of N30,000, has reached a critical point. Prof. Cyril Usifoh, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, attributed the rising prices to factors such as foreign exchange crises, dependence on imported medicines, and escalating energy costs.
Moreover, the recent 240% hike in electricity tariffs and the depreciation of the Naira against the dollar have further compounded the situation. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates a 68% surge in drug imports in the third quarter of 2023, coinciding with the exit of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from the Nigerian market last year.
Blessing Adams, a Community Pharmacist, expressed concerns that the escalating drug prices could lead to more Nigerians succumbing to chronic illnesses. She highlighted instances where patients resorted to herbal remedies due to the exorbitant cost of prescribed medications.
Patients like Isaac Adebayo from the National Hospital in Abuja are already feeling the impact of the price hikes, as they are forced to explore alternative treatments outside conventional healthcare settings.
While the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, had previously hinted at potential measures to address the crisis, including an Executive Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, little progress has been made in this regard.
In a candid interview, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, underscored the dire consequences of the soaring drug prices on public health. He warned that the trend could lead to increased mortality rates and a decline in life expectancy in Nigeria.
Ojinmah appealed to the government to declare a health sector emergency and implement initiatives like tax waivers for drug imports and support for local drug production. He emphasized the urgent need to make essential medications more affordable and accessible to the general population.
By fostering local pharmaceutical production and removing barriers to medication access, Nigeria could alleviate the burden on its healthcare system and safeguard the well-being of its citizens. These proactive steps are crucial to tackling the current healthcare crisis and ensuring the sustainability of public health in Nigeria.