Factors Associated with Drug Counterfeit in Nigeria: A Twelve Year Review
Chika F. Ubajaka *
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Alphonsus C. Obi-Okaro
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
Obiageli F. Emelumadu
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
Maureen N. Azumarah
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Andrew U. Ukegbu
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria.
Samuel O. Ilikannu
Department of Public Health, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Drug counterfeiting poses a great danger to every society. The actual prevalence of counterfeit drugs is difficult to ascertain presently but just like other crimes, drug counterfeiting is an underground business that often comes to light mostly when death occurs. About 10% of drugs circulating worldwide are fake drugs with enormous associated health risk. Preventing the problem is a primary duty of every responsible nation in order to save lives.
Objective: This paper aims at studying the factors associated with drug counterfeiting, its consequences and possible solutions.
Methods: This article reviews relevant literatures published from 2004 to 2015 from medical journals, health survey reports, books, Google search and health-related websites such as World Health Organization.
Results: Several researchers have identified corruption and conflict of interest, poor health seeking behavior of Nigerians, high prices of locally manufactured drugs due to high taxes and tariffs, inadequate legislation, unordered drug distribution system, inadequate cooperation from government agencies and discriminatory regulation by exporting countries as the major factors associated with drug counterfeiting in Nigeria.
Conclusion/ Recommendations: Drug counterfeiting is one of the greatest atrocities of our time and it affects both developing and developed countries. There is an urgent need for the government as well as professional bodies to ensure massive public enlightenment and the effective enforcement of the existing drug laws in Nigeria.
Keywords: Counterfeit drugs, laws, Nigeria