Pharmacists have attributed the continued circulation of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria to weak coordination among the key government bodies responsible for securing the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
The professionals urged agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and law enforcement bodies to strengthen collaboration to effectively combat the spread of counterfeit drugs.
Speaking during the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1985 graduating class of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, the experts called on the government to enhance drug regulation, broaden pharmacists’ roles, and intensify actions against counterfeiters.
The three-day event, themed “Pharmily Circle 85 Ruby Celebration,” brought together pharmacists who emphasised the urgent need for reforms, including the introduction of digital tracking systems, stiffer penalties for offenders, and stronger partnerships across relevant agencies.
They cautioned that unless these measures are implemented, Nigerians will continue to die or suffer severe health complications caused by fake medications.
The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UNN, Professor Chukwuemeka Nworu, stressed that NAFDAC alone cannot tackle the country’s fake drug problem.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s porous borders and the lack of synergy between key agencies like Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have provided loopholes for counterfeit drug traffickers to exploit.
He stated, “NAFDAC has made commendable efforts, but without active cooperation from customs and other regulatory bodies, the agency is left to fight a battle it cannot win alone.
“Fake drugs are killing people. It’s a national emergency.”
The don further explained that while NAFDAC oversees product regulation and quality assurance, Customs plays a critical role in intercepting harmful imports at borders and seaports.
According to him, where customs officers are compromised or inadequately equipped, counterfeit and substandard medicines will continue to infiltrate the Nigerian market.
Also speaking, the President of the 1985 class, Chuka Chukwuanu, condemned the widespread distribution of fake drugs, describing it as a failure of governance, ethics, and professional integrity.
He warned that efforts to curb the menace must go beyond NAFDAC’s jurisdiction.
“A pharmacist who values human life cannot imagine selling fake drugs. But people who have no business in pharmacies are importing these drugs and working with compromised officials to clear them.
“We must hold every actor in the chain accountable, from the ports to the pharmacy,” he said.
Chukwuanu, who serves as the Head of Strategic Business Development at Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals, lamented that indigenous pharmaceutical companies face immense challenges as they struggle to compete with importers bringing in cheap and low-quality products.
He pointed out that while enforcing attendance and hands-on training in pharmacy schools is important, it is meaningless if the wider environment allows adulterated drugs to thrive.
He revealed that many counterfeit medicines are grossly underdosed, citing instances where paracetamol tablets meant to contain 500 mg of the active ingredient have only 200 mg.
Reflecting on the event, Chukwuanu described the 40th anniversary as a homecoming that allowed classmates to reconnect and express gratitude for their lives.
“We graduated 40 years ago from UNN; some of us have not seen one another since we left school, so this is a reunion for us to interact and reconnect,” he said.
The Chairman of the 40th Anniversary Planning Committee and US-based clinical pharmacist, Dr. Obinna Okereke, said Nigeria’s weak regulatory framework fails to deter offenders due to corruption and poor enforcement among agencies.
“In countries like India and China, fake drugs made for export cannot even enter their domestic markets.
“The difference is that their governments take public health seriously and enforce consequences. In Nigeria, if someone gives a customs officer N5 million, fake goods will pass,” he said.
Dr. Okereke, who owns CYNOB Pharmacy in California, urged the federal government to adopt a multi-agency strategy involving NAFDAC, Customs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and security operatives to establish a foolproof system against drug counterfeiting and importation of substandard products.
He also criticised the nation’s low investment in the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), stressing that without domestic manufacturing capacity, Nigeria will remain vulnerable to exploitation by foreign producers.
“It’s not just about seizing fake drugs. It’s about stopping them at source and empowering our own industry to produce safe, quality medicines,” he said.
To mark the occasion, the 1985 graduating set donated 40 brand-new laptops to their alma mater and pledged to provide 60 more soon.
The alumni group had earlier gifted a high-capacity tablet machine worth millions of naira to the faculty and intervened during past accreditation challenges faced by the school.
