He explained that the issue extends beyond drug prices to the overall increase in the cost of living. He noted that food, which he considered as a form of medicine, has also become significantly more expensive, with items that previously cost N200 now selling for N1,000.
Dr. Umar stated that many Nigerians are struggling with the high cost of living, compounded by stagnant minimum wages. This is particularly challenging for those who are unemployed, especially in rural areas with limited financial resources.
He illustrated the severity of the situation with specific examples: a drug that used to cost N2,500 has surged to N30,000 following the departure of its manufacturing company from Nigeria, and an antimalarial drug’s price has jumped from N600 to N2,000.
In his words: “Let me give you a typical example of a certain drug that used to sell for N2,500, when the company left Nigeria, that particular drug is now N30,000. There’s an antimalarial drug that used to be N600, it is now N2,000.
“Meanwhile, the income of Nigerians and the minimum wage have not changed. A course of chemotherapy that used to be about N60,000 is now about N100,000. Some patients take six courses, some take nine courses or more. You can imagine the burden on those suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes mellitus, cancer, and other diseases that will keep them on drugs for a lifetime.
“You are talking about a minimum wage of N30,000 and someone is on a drug that costs N100,000 monthly.”
Dr. Umar lamented that this dire situation leads to poor health outcomes and prognosis, as patients often cannot access timely and appropriate treatments.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
