The cost of essential drugs at pharmacies across the country continues to rise, placing additional strain on Nigerians’ access to healthcare.
Checks show that the prices for over-the-counter and prescription medications at pharmacies across the country have surged by as much as 300% since GlaxoSmithKline decided to leave Nigeria one year ago.
Additionally, the depreciation of the naira against the US dollar in the foreign exchange market has made imports more expensive.
GlaxoSmithKline manufactures life-saving medicines such as Amoxicillin / Clavulanic acid, Ampiclox, Seretide, Ventolin inhalers, and Augmentin 625mg, among others.
Another pharmaceutical company that left Nigeria in the past year is Sanofi-Aventis, the producer of polio vaccines for children, among other products.
BusinessDay reports that the prices of the mentioned drugs produced by GSK at pharmacies across the country have increased.
One of the drugs, Augmentin 228mg and 475mg, now costs N12,000 and N18,000, respectively, compared to N2,950 and N4,200 in August 2023 when GSK left the country.
Snapshot of the changes in prices for some drugs
A pharmacist, John Chime, confirmed to TimesNow.com.ng that drug prices have increased, noting that the changes affect patients and healthcare providers.
NAFDAC speaks on danger of buying from street hawkers
Earlier, TimesNow.com.ng reported that Nigerians have been warned to desist from buying drugs from street hawkers across the country to treat illnesses.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued the warning during a summit on the dangers of hawking drugs.
NAFDAC stated that drugs exposed to heat are not effective for treating illnesses.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
