As I write this article, my heart is heavy with grief. I’m paying tribute to my late brother-in-law, Mr. Sunday Jiya, and countless other innocent Nigerians who have lost their lives to counterfeit medications.
My brother-in-law, fondly called “Boda Sunday,” had purchased a familiar medication, expecting to recover from his illness. Instead, his health rapidly deteriorated, and he tragically passed away at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.
Like Boda Sunday, thousands of Nigerians die daily from drugs meant to save their lives but became their nemesis.
My first encounter with fake drugs was during my time as a reporter covering NAFDAC in Abuja under the late Dr. Dora Akunyili. I was shocked to discover the extent of this nefarious industry, which is a multi-billion dollar industry driven by individuals who profit from destroying lives.
The statistics are alarming:
- Approximately 1 million people die every year due to counterfeit or substandard medicines.
- Over 120,000 people are killed annually by fake malaria drugs in Nigeria alone.
- A study by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime reveals:
- 267,000 deaths occur each year from substandard malaria drugs.
- 169,000 deaths occur each year from fake antibiotics used to treat pneumonia in children.
The World Health Organization notes that fake drugs can lead to untreated illnesses, serious health effects, poisoning, or even death.
My cousin, Olushola Ogbonmide, shared a chilling story of being offered a bribe to manufacture substandard drugs. He refused, but how many others have resisted such temptation?
The situation has worsened over time, with traders becoming self-proclaimed pharmacists, producing outright fake drugs that are perfectly packaged to deceive consumers.
I’ve dedicated time to fighting this menace, never imagining that my own family would fall victim. Fake drug manufacturers are worse than armed robbers and must face severe penalties for their crimes.
Penalties for fake drug manufacturers should include:
- Life imprisonment
- Heavy fines, with penalties running into millions or even billions of naira
- Compensation to the families of victims
Governments should collaborate with religious institutions and international bodies to track down and prosecute fake drug manufacturers, regardless of their location.
May my brother-in-law, Mr. Sunday Jiya, and countless others who have lost their lives to counterfeit medications rest in peace. May their memories live on and serve as a catalyst for change in the fight against fake drugs. May those responsible for these heinous acts face justice and may their actions no longer claim innocent lives.
– Dayo Thomas, a seasoned journalist, writes from Lagos.
