Weak control systems give rise to the distribution of fake drugs in Nigeria.
Discussing the issue that is currently impeding the health sector and the well-being of the country’s people, which is the sales of fake drugs that have become what appears to be a permanent phenomenon in Nigeria, its reasons can be attributed to “chaotic” distribution systems. Medical professionals who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) placed the blame for the sale, distribution, and consumption of counterfeit drugs in the country on control systems that were inadequate and easily avoided.
The medical personnel made the observation that the guidelines for the production and distribution of medications were never adhered to at any level of the distribution chain for drugs, even including those that are at the lowest levels of the chain. Therefore, they advocated for more strict monitoring and supervision of production processes and facilities, particularly in offshore medicine manufacturing companies, in order to assure compliance with stringent standards, which will bring a turnaround to the sector.
Close monitoring and inspection of drug manufacturing plants are essential.
Speaking on the same, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, who is the Chief Medical Director at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, has also urged for the close monitoring and inspection of all the drug manufacturing plants that are located within the country. He went on to affirm that quality assurance and assessment laboratories should be set up in the country so that periodic checks can be performed on pharmaceuticals that are either imported or made domestically.
Prof. Ikpeme added that the government should take on the responsibility for strengthening the regulatory agencies in other to curb the menace, while they should also be encouraged to utilize special identification tools like holograms and identification numbers that may be connected toll-free. Ikpeme has also asked for a significant increase in the amount of education that is provided to the public about the risks associated with counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the impact it can have on their health.
Chaotic drug distribution method made it easier for fake drugs to spread.
In a similar manner, Mr. Abraham Idagu, who is a lecturer at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Calabar, emphasized that the chaotic method of drug distribution that is currently in use made it easier for fake, counterfeit, substandard, and contaminated drugs to spread. Idagu added that the unconstrained circulation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals was made possible by the inability to effectively uphold the laws that were already in place due to corruption.
According to him, this approach can make it possible for outdated pharmaceuticals to be relabeled and even for certain drug items that do not contain any active medicinal components to be sold. However, he also affirmed that the Pharmacy Bill, which was recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, will bring much-needed reform to the pharma industry and, by extension, the health sector. This law will offer the necessary legal framework in order to combat the illegal importation of drugs as well as other drug-related concerns.
The new Pharmacy Bill will enforce drug rules and regulate pharmaceuticals.
Moreover, Idagu added that this would help strengthen the agencies responsible for enforcing drug rules and regulating pharmaceuticals. He advocated for a long-term solution that would track pharmaceuticals nationwide from production to consumption. The significance of this in resolving the issue is enormous. It’s impossible to stress enough how important it is to address issues with how drugs are made. Establishing, maintaining, and adhering to policies and procedures that guarantee that pharmaceuticals are regularly manufactured to high standards is important.
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In light of these circumstances, there is a need for stringent rules and oversight at every stage of the manufacturing process, all the way down to the local level, in order to ensure adequate legal compliance.
The relevant agencies in care of Drug control should all do the necessities to ensure the spread of drug is controlled and managed. It is important the drugs in circulation should be those in which the agencies have approved.
Fake drug is the order of the day to control it will take slot of work and commit ment because there are some cabals that feed off this the government needs to be proactive and put in some measures to control and actually nib it in the bud
We have to find all means to stop fake drug from spread the fake drugs harm people health life is at risk. Control of drugs should be proper maintain to afford spread of fake drugs, flow of drugs should be the one agencies to
Fake medicine sales, which have become a chronic problem in Nigeria, might be traced to the “chaotic” distribution system.
Medical staff noted that drug distribution guidelines were never followed at any level, even the lowest.
The consistent production of high-quality pharmaceuticals relies on the establishment, maintenance, and adherence to policies and processes that ensure this.
Poor control increases the fake drug spread. Is too bad for the country to be having a lot fake drugs. we really need to do something to put a stop to this fake drugs.
Fake medicine sales, which seem to be a constant phenomenon in Nigeria at this point, are discussed as a problem that is currently affecting the health sector and the wellbeing of the country’s population.
it’s fine because According to NAN, the country’s widespread use of fake pharmaceuticals is due in large part to lax regulation that is easy to circumvent.
It is imperative that we reinforce the need for quality assurance and testing laboratories to be established in the country. This would allow for regular quality control checks to be carried out on pharmaceuticals manufactured either domestically or internationally.
It is to their credit that they fought for more stringent monitoring and oversight of production methods and facilities, especially in companies that manufacture medicines abroad.
The failure to successfully uphold the rules that were already in place as a result of corruption made it possible for counterfeit drugs to circulate unrestrictedly, which in turn made it possible for criminals to profit from their sale.
a major increase in the amount of education that is offered to the general people about the dangers connected with purchasing counterfeit drugs and the effect that doing so can have on their overall health.
The poor, tainted, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals were more likely to spread due to the current system of disorganized drug distribution.
It is important the drugs in circulation should be those in which the agencies have approved. measures to prevent counterfeit drug should be taken.
The Nigerian system is heavily corrupt and it has eaten deep into the country’s system. The poorly control of drugs is not far fetched from bribery of drugs control office who in turn turns a blind eyes to importion and production of fake drugs.
Since the country is highly corrupt we should be expecting more of fake drugs. The Buhari led administration is plagued with nepotism and sectionalism most of these drugs would be allowed to come in based on the above mentioned fact.
In order to ensure compliance with tight standards, increasingly stricter monitoring and oversight of production processes and facilities are required, especially in offshore medication manufacturing enterprises.
Sales of fake pharmaceuticals, which have appeared to be a permanent phenomena in Nigeria, are the problem that is currently affecting the health sector and the wellbeing of the population. Its causes can be traced to “chaotic” distribution channels.