(SPECIAL REPORT) Rising Cost of Medical Drugs Leaves Nigerians with Impossible Choices

One of the most devastating realities of the Naira devaluation policy of the President Bola Tinubu -led government is the skyrocketing increment in the prices of essential medical drugs, investigations by AF24NEWS/FTN reveal.

Latest checks by our correspondent shows that  prices of imported medicines, surgical supplies, and medical equipment have increased  by over 300 per cent, putting strain on the medical bills of millions of households already scorched by a high cost of living.

This situation has not only made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford life-saving treatments but also forcing many to consider alternatives that might be dangerous.

The Naira exchanged at about 460 units against one dollar in January compared to the N1160 currently being exchanged at the parallel market. This implies that importers are now spending more on medical items brought into Nigeria. Even local medicine makers, who rely on imported raw materials are also facing a daunting task, because of the sharp increase in the cost of importation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), plus higher cost manufacturing.

Because of the dire situation, pharmaceutical companies like GSK have left the country, and there are growing reports that other drug companies like Sanofi, the makers of Tavanic 500mg and influenza vaccines would follow suit.

Investigations by AF24NEWS/FTN reveal that prices of key imported medical supplies including lifesaving drugs for asthma, hypertension, and kidney ailments have shot up significantly due to the weakened naira.

Our correspondent found that medical drugs like Augmentin, an antibiotic used for the treatment of infection and pneumonia, used to be sold at N4,000 per pack, but now it is N40,000.  Similarly, ampiclox, which was formerly priced between N500 and N1,000 per sachet, is now priced between N10,000 and N20,000 per sachet, depending on location. A Ventolin inhaler for treating asthma attacks initially sold for N2, 800, has now pushed up to N8, 000 and N15,000. Seretide – another lifesaving medication for Asthmatic patients that was initially sold for around N6,000 to N8,000 now goes for N50,000 and N70,000.

Even basic across-the-counter medications and multivitamins have also increased. A card of paracetamol that cost N50 last year now costs N200 to N300, depending on the location and brand. As pharmaceutical costs continue to climb, the marginalised sector of society finds itself caught in a merciless struggle to access critical medications necessary for their survival.

Currently, Nigeria is rated by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as one of the eight countries in the world with exceptionally exorbitant drug prices.

Emilia Ifeadi, a 62-year-old widow and trader in Mushin, Lagos shared her distressing experience. Suffering from diabetes, Mrs Ifeadi depends on insulin to control her blood sugar levels. Sadly, the cost of her monthly medication has doubled in the past months, making it nearly impossible for her to maintain her health. “I have to choose between buying foodstuff or my medication,” she told AF24NEWS/FTN, “as a petty trader like me it has been a struggle coping with this sudden increase in the price of drugs. For diabetics like me, I used to spend below N20,000 every week buying the medications I needed. But now I spend N40, 000. We are in a terrible situation in this country.”

Also, for Comrade Olusegun Abatan, executive secretary, of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, the escalating cost of medication has been a harrowing experience for many pensioners. According to Abatan, many retirees struggle to afford simple medications with their meagre stipends. He believes the increase in the cost of drugs would force many pensioners into early graves.

He said, “Pensioners are worst hit because they cannot afford simple medications to buy. Many pensioners are going down with disabilities and diseases. Since the time the fuel subsidy was removed, we have lost not less than 50 people because they don’t have money to buy medicines, and again, there is no medical assistance for them from the government. So many of our members are left on their own to either die or survive. It is quite unfortunate that this is the case even though senior citizens abroad are taken care of.”

Also, Rasheed Folusola, a social worker and community leader in Kosofe, Lagos, described the escalating cost of medications as terrible and asked that the Federal Government revisit its policies to ensure there is foreign currency for the importation of medication for use in the country. He slammed the Federal Government for allowing the available foreign currency to be used for the importation of vehicles and presidential yacht into the country, leaving behind more important things like medicines.

He also lamented that drugs used for the treatment of common ailments such as malaria, typhoid fever, and other infections are exorbitant. “The cheapest malaria products once sold at N250 is now N500, while those sold at N500 then, now start from N1000, and the ones sold from N1,000 then are now N2,500 upwards. This is over a 100 per cent increase. The commonest ciprofloxacin that you can get before now as cheap as N400 for one pack is selling as high as N800. For higher brands, some are selling for N2,500. Then you go to drugs like Augmentin, the problem is that you can hardly see it now.

“The government needs to act very fast in providing succour to the poor. People are really suffering and the high cost of drugs has worsened the plights of the masses. We are beginning to feel that this government is insensitive to the suffering and pains of the underprivileged,” Alhaji Folusola said.

Responding to outcry and criticisms against the government, Mohammed Pate, the coordinating minister for health and social welfare assured that the unintended consequences of the naira devaluation which affected drug prices would be addressed.

He said, “We are concerned about the high out-of-pocket expenses Nigerians experience in order to access medicines and other pharmaceutical products. The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda, is keen to find ways to reverse the hardship of Nigerians in this regard.

“The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare is working towards policy actions that may address the high prices of medicines, especially for the most vulnerable Nigerians.”

Professor Pate revealed that the government has met with the representatives and CEOs of Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria to listen and understand better their perspectives in other to find workable solutions.

However, such assurances have done little to quell the discontent among the public. While stakeholders in the health sector have called for quick and decisive actions to address the healthcare affordability crisis, many Nigerians have switched their treatments from orthodox to alternative methods like traditional healers and prayer houses.

“This is the worst time for anyone to be sick,” another Nigerian, James Adeoti said. “I cannot afford to buy any drug for treatment. So I buy aagbo (herbs) for me and my family. Every morning, I make sure my wife and children drink herbs. Some of the herbs have been used to prevent and treat malaria, typhoid, STDs, ulcers, stabilise blood sugar and several other ailments. Although none in my family is sick yet, we all still take herbs because prevention is better than cure.”

Adeoti is one of the millions of Nigerians who have adopted drinking herbal concoctions as an alternative, but this measure could also have deadly consequences, according, to Dr Charles Udeogu, a family doctor.

“Many Nigerians instead of buying drugs that are being prescribed for them, people now go to prayer houses while some will go to traditional healers and alagbo on the streets in the name of herbs. And these things as we know affect our organs, especially the liver. If you go to some tertiary hospitals, you will see the results of this act. People are coming down with kidney problems. Go to nephrology clinics, patients are there. This is major because people are not buying the right drugs,” he said.

On the way forward, Dr Udeogu urged the government to intervene to address the uncontrollable fall in naira value by ensuring access to forex for the importation and production of pharmaceutical products. He also urged Nigerians to adopt healthy living. “With the price of pharmaceutical drugs skyrocketing, Nigerians should strive to live and adopt healthy lifestyles to avoid falling ill. Example we try to relax and sleep early, smokers must quit smoking, avoid intake of alcohol, make it a habit to drink a lot of water, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and then reduce intake of soda/ carbonated drinks (minerals). Nigerians must always remember, that health is wealth. It’s time to learn!”