Counterfeit drugs in Nigeria: A threat to public health
Open accessAbstract
The production of counterfeit drugs is a broad and under reported problem particularly affecting poorer countries. It is an important cause of unnecessary mortality and morbidity, and loss of public confidence in medicines and health structures. Empirical observations show that there may be more counterfeit than genuine drugs in circulation. This article discusses the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. It highlights factors contributing to the preponderance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and discusses strategies that may influence policy to combat the menace of counterfeit drugs. Major factors contributing to the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria include ineffective enforcement of existing laws, non- professionals in drug business, loose control systems, high cost of genuine drugs, greed, ignorance, corruption, illegal drug importation, chaotic drug distribution network, demand exceeding supply amongst many others. Counterfeit drugs pose great threats to the attainment of the millennium development goals 4, 5 and 6 which hopes for a reduction in infant mortality, improved maternal health and combating human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and other diseases. Due to the complexity of the counterfeit drug problem, no single technique can eliminate the public health threat posed by counterfeit pharmaceuticals. A multi-disciplinary and cross-functional approach will help combat the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Key words: Counterfeit drugs, public health, Nigeria.
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Some studies aimed at identifying the challenges associated with the supply chain systems for medicines or vaccines have been conducted in Nigeria.
“So far, some studies, aimed at identifying the challenges associated with the supply chain systems for medicines or vaccines, have been conducted in Nigeria [2, 3, 7, 9–11].”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
Other challenges such as stock-outs, poor supply chain practices, and inadequate human resources have been reported.
“Other challenges such as stock-outs, poor supply chain practices (e.g., poor inventory, poor forecasting, etc.), and inadequate human resources, amongst other factors, have been reported [3, 7–11].”
From Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
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Cites
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Flagged first, then by citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Medicines and vaccines supply chains challenges in Nigeria: a scoping review
Olutuase, V. O., Iwu-Jaja, C. J., Akuoko, C. P., Adewuyi, E. O., & Khanal, V. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12361-9 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Akiny, O.
- Affiliations
- University of South Wales (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Akiny, Olusegun
- Venue
- African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Academic Journals
- Published
- 2013-09-29
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 36
- Pages
- 2571-2576
- ISSN
- 1996-0816 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2312385559
- Cited by
- 66
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 2.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pharmaceutical Quality and Counterfeiting
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance
- Keywords
- counterfeit drugs, drug counterfeiting, public health, Nigeria, drug distribution networks, corruption, drug pricing, Millennium Development Goals, HIV/AIDS, malaria, multidisciplinary approach
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