Category: Health

Health

Narcotics Abuse: NAFDAC deploys ‘track-and-trace’ mechanisms

Aminu Imam

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has put in place effective mechanisms to ‘track and trace’ narcotic products right from production, the manufacturing plant, to the end user. A statement issued by the agency, at the weekend, said its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure while commissioning the narcotic drugs serialisation pilot project in Lagos. Prof Adeyeye said the move was geared towards tackling the menace of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria, particularly amongst the teeming youth population. She said that narcotics…

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FG to issue Executive Order to lower pharmaceuticals’ costs – Health Minister

Aminu Imam

Minister of Health, Ali Pate, has disclosed that the Federal Government will soon issue an Executive Order to control pharmaceutical pricing and lower the cost of necessary medications in Nigeria. Pate stared this on Wednesday, while interacting with State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. He explained that the Executive Order aims at enabling local drug manufacturers to thrive, while ensuring fair pricing of essential medicines. According to the Minister, the decision follows the exit of major multi-national pharmaceutical companies from…

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Poor Nigerians decry soaring cost of healthcare, as prices continue to rise

Aminu Imam

Nigerians have raised concerns over the rising cost of healthcare amid the economic downturn. Most Nigerians, who already have to foot 80% of their medical expenses out of pocket have to bear more financial burden as hospitals adjust fees for medical services. Lately, the rate at which Nigerians ask for donations to foot medical bills has increased tremendously on social media, this is due to the fact that the cost of medications, tests and consultations in hospitals are no longer affordable. Poverty is a major problem crippling the Nigerian health…

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‘Fermented Urine Drug, a disturbing new trend of drug abuse among Northern youths’ – NDLEA

Aminu Imam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has brought to light a disturbing new trend in drug abuse among the Northern youths especially in Borno State. These young individuals are turning to a dangerous and unconventional substance – fermented human urine, known as jenkem – as an alternative to traditional hard drugs. The NDLEA Commander of Narcotics in Borno State, Iliyasu Mani, in a recent press briefing held in Maiduguri, expressed his deep concerns. “The depth of drug abuse has reached a worrying level. What we are witnessing is not…

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Drug Prices Hike:  APC chieftain appeals for Tinubu’s urgent intervention

Aminu Imam

A chieftain of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to urgently intervene in the hike in prices of essential drugs in the country. Oyintiloye, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Osogbo, the State capital, said that many Nigerians were currently unable to access most essential drugs due to the extreme high prices. He said that the escalating prices of the drugs could be attributed to a combination of factors, which include the withdrawal of GSK, a major…

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Inflation: Beecham Ampiclox jumps from N750 to N9,000; Augmentin N4,000 to N26,000; Paracetamol N40 to N150 – SBM Survey

Aminu Imam

A new survey has revealed that the economic hardship assailing Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu has continued to cause incessant hikes in the prices of drugs for malaria and other common conditions.  The survey conducted by SBM Intelligence, titled: ‘Paying the Price on Health’, compared the prices of pharmaceutical products back in 2019 with their prices as of November 20, 2023. Amid unfavourable economic circumstances in the country, British multinational pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, in August 2023, announced plans to cease operations in the country after 51 years. Sanofi, another global…

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Nigerians resort to herbal concoctions, as medication prices soar by over 300%

Aminu Imam

Following the astronomical increase in the prices of drugs, some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have resorted to herbal concoctions commonly referred to as “agbo” to treat various illnesses. The prices of many prescribed and over-the-counter medications have steadily increased, making these drugs unaffordable and unavailable. Findings revealed that some pharmacies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where some drugs were reported to be scarce or unavailable, such as Augmentin, multivitamins like Omega H3, Ventolin inhaler and Fleming antibiotics. A pharmacist, who spoke anonymously said, “GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) products…

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Lassa fever Outbreak: ‘Traders importing live rats from Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi’ – Benue Govt. 

Aminu Imam

The Benue State government has raised the alarm over the importation of live rats into the State, warning that individuals behind the trade are exposing its people to Lassa fever outbreak.   The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Terungwa Ngishe expressed the worry while speaking at a one-day ‘Sensitisation Engagement on Anti-microbial Resistance’, (AMR), and the need for behavioural change, organised in Makurdi by the Benue State office of ‘One Health’.   Dr. Ngishe pointed out that people importing rats into Benue were taking advantage of the fact that “rat is a delicacy in…

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FG Okays contract jobs for retired doctors, nurses, health workers

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has approved the appointment of doctors, nurses, and other clinical healthcare workers as contract staff after attaining their compulsory retirement age, or years. The Government, however, said the appointed contract staff would be on the same salary scale level that they retired on if they desire and deserve it. According to a circular, dated October 5, 2023, by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), directed the Chief Executive Agencies, Chief Medical Directors, Medical Directors, and Heads of Regulatory Bodies and Schools to ensure compliance with the circular…

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“Treat all gunshots, accident victims with or without police report” – IGP tells doctors

Aminu Imam

…Orders full enforcement of Gunshot Victims Act 2017 In response to the on-going concern over the tragic loss of lives due to the neglect of gunshot and accident victims, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a resounding call to all medical practitioners in Nigeria to provide prompt and compassionate treatment to all victims of gunshots and accidents, irrespective of the presence or absence of a police report. According to a press statement issued by the Nigeria Police, the IGP’s directive aligns with the full enforcement of…

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