The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the National Assembly to review the existing Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to combat the menace of fake drugs in the country.
The association made the call after it observed that about 50% of drugs currently in circulation across the country were either fake or substandard.
In a statement issued ahead of its 44th Annual National Conference on Friday, the ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh expressed concern over the statistics of fake drugs, foods, and drinks, warning that if left unchecked may lead to catastrophic health emergency.
“As of now, over 50% of drugs in circulation across the country are fake and substandard,” he stated.
He explained that fake drugs pose serious health risks to individuals, groups, and society at large, and lamented that the situation is deteriorating despite ongoing efforts.
“Our usually reliable and dependable research-based efforts indicate that we are back to the days of over 50% of drugs in circulation being fake and substandard, as against official figures hovering between 13% and 15%,” he said.
