The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society and National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition, Dr. Adamu Umar, has expressed concern over the rising prices of drugs in the country, stating that it is having a devastating impact on patients.
According to The PUNCH, Dr. Umar, the cost of living in Nigeria has increased significantly, with food and drugs becoming unaffordable for many Nigerians.
He noted that the situation is particularly dire for patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, who require lifelong medication.
Dr. Umar cited examples of drugs that have increased in price, including a certain drug that used to sell for N2,500 but now costs N30,000, and an antimalarial drug that has risen from N600 to N2,000.
He said, “It’s not only the rising cost of drug prices but generally, the rise in the cost of living. Food is medicine too, and we have found ourselves in a situation where the ordinary Nigerian is suffering because of the threat of inflation; something that used to sell for N200 is now selling at N1,000.
“We are still battling with the minimum wage, and that is even for those that are working. There are so many Nigerians who are not working, the majority of whom are in rural areas with little or no capital.”
He also noted that the minimum wage in Nigeria has not changed, making it difficult for patients to afford the drugs they need.
“The cost of living is very high, likewise, the cost of drugs. The difference between the cost of food and drugs is the fact that drugs are inevitable commodities, so that has a very negative impact on society in general. It has a way of bringing down the productivity status of Nigerians. Many Nigerians cannot afford to put food on their tables, not to talk of getting healthcare.
“This is the reason we always call for universal health coverage so that everybody will be covered, and the minimum package, at least, will be accessible to Nigerians.
“The National Health Insurance Authority covers a very insignificant percentage of Nigerians because over 86 per cent of Nigerians are paying for healthcare out of their pockets. So, it is creating a very negative balance to productivity because a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
“Once you can’t afford to buy the drugs, it means that the status of your health is in a situation where you can’t be productive. The way Nigerians are, they always go for the cheaper option.
“Most of these drugs sold on the streets are expired, and this is because Nigerians cannot afford to buy the best medicines prescribed by their physicians.”
