The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State chapter, Gbolagade Iyiola, has faulted the manner drugs are stored in Nigeria, noting that it compromises their standards.
This was disclosed in an interview with newsmen, He noted that most of the medical drugs in the market are not being handled by experts, hence, it affects their efficacy.
Iyiola explained that while reacting to a report by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency that over 70 per cent of medical drugs being dispensed in Nigeria are substandard.
NPHCDA had disclosed this on its website that over 70 per cent of medical drugs being dispensed in Nigeria are substandard and that majority of Nigerians do not have access to health services.
The PSN Boss said he cannot fault the NPHCDA’s report because the storage system of medical drugs has not been of the required global standard.
To fight against substandard drugs, the chairman urged the government to close all the existing open drug markets in the country.
“The way forward is for the government to close all the existing open drug markets. If you go to Idumota on Lagos Island, where drugs are sold, you will not see it as an ideal place where pharmaceutical products should be stocked and sold” He stressed.
Iyiola said, “The solution to this problem is to work on the storage system. If that is done, riding the country of counterfeiters will be the only problem that we will be confronted with. Even in the US, with their advancements and development, counterfeiters are still there.”
