Pharmacists Warn Nigerians Against Buying Medicines from Street Vendors

Pharmacists have urged Nigerians to obtain medicines only from registered pharmacies and legally authorised outlets, warning that the growing circulation of counterfeit and substandard products poses a serious threat to public health.

They said medicines purchased from street vendors, unlicensed drug outlets and unauthorised online sellers could contain incorrect ingredients, inadequate quantities of active substances or harmful contaminants.

A pharmacist, Franklin Uzoezie, explained that counterfeit medicines might contain no active ingredient, the wrong substance or an incorrect dosage, making them ineffective or potentially toxic.

He noted that even healthcare professionals could find it difficult to distinguish fake medicines from genuine products through visual inspection alone, as counterfeit versions sometimes had packaging and registration details designed to appear authentic.

Uzoezie advised consumers to prioritise the safety and quality of medicines over convenience or cheaper prices, stressing the importance of purchasing from approved sources.

Similarly, Consultant Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Care Specialist Yetunde Akinola identified patronage of unlicensed outlets and roadside vendors as major factors encouraging the circulation of fake medicines.

She urged Nigerians to examine product labels, expiry dates, batch numbers, packaging and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration details.

However, she cautioned that such information could also be falsified, meaning that checking product details alone did not guarantee authenticity.

Akinola called on pharmacists to maintain traceable procurement records and report suspicious products to regulatory authorities. She also urged NAFDAC to strengthen monitoring and enforcement at ports of entry, distribution centres and open drug markets.

She said government agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacists and law enforcement organisations needed to work together to address weaknesses in the medicine supply chain.

Another pharmacist, Adewuyi Ademola, warned that the circulation of adulterated medicines could undermine the entire healthcare system by preventing patients from receiving effective treatment.

He explained that when prescribed medicines failed to meet required standards, patients could experience treatment failure and complications, while the resulting pressure could increase healthcare costs.

The pharmacists called for sustained public education and stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that safe, effective and quality-assured medicines reached consumers.