Victor EzejaAs prices of drugs and other pharmaceutical products continue to skyrocket, Nigerian Public Health Physicians have warned that if drastic steps were not taken, it could pose serious threat to healthcare, especially public health in the country.
A combination of factors such as forex crisis, inflation rate and exit of big Pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria in recent months have been blamed for the unprecedented hike in costs of drugs across the country.
A report indicated that prices of basic drugs like antibiotics have increased by over 1000 per cent in the last three years.
This has implications on access to healthcare by Nigerians, especially the ordinary low-income earners as many continue to lament even on social media about the impact.
The National Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (NAPHPN) have expressed concerns about the worrisome development.
At the 40th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Akure, Ondo State, recently, NAPHPN President, Prof. Alphonso Isara, expressed concerns about the substantial financial burden of high medication costs on, especially people who are struggling with different medical conditions.
Prof. Isara said: “Healthcare, especially public health, is in danger in the present dispensation.”
Looking at the health sector generally, Prof. Isara, apart from high cost which prevents Nigerians from having access to basic medication, also bemoaned the recurring brain drain which has led to drastic reduction of healthcare professionals as they relocate abroad in search of better employment.
READ ALSO: Big Pharma Companies’ Exit Further Pushes Drug Prices Up As Imports Rise By 68% In Nigeria
On how to salvage the situation, the NAPHPN president said the association is willing to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to support initiatives aimed at revitalizing the healthcare sector, such as the “Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme” of the current government.
Prof. Isara underlined the significance of realigning public health services for optimal efficiency, recognizing the association’s crucial role in influencing the development of the healthcare system during over the past fifty years.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
