Fuel subsidy removal: Pharmacists, patients lament hike in drug prices

Pharmacists and patients have lamented the increase in prices of drugs, saying the increase was up to 100 per cent.

The pharmacists said the increase was a result of inflation, erratic foreign exchange rate and the increase in the prices of petrol.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HubPharm Africa, Sesan Kareem, said, “The purchasing power of people has drifted because of so many factors and unfortunately, the cost of drugs has increased significantly. Some drugs have increased by about 100 per cent. It is now the survival of the fittest, the rich and the poor are complaining, it is a tough time for many people.

“Almost all the drugs have increased by about 50 to 100 per cent. The drugs for diabetes, hypertension and the rest have significantly increased.”

How Drunk Driver Killed Lagos Breadwinner, Left Wife

A survey conducted by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria also showed that the prices of most medicines had increased by 30 per cent or more in the last two months.

The National Chairman, ACPN, Adewale Oladigbolu, said the hike might affect the delivery of quality health care in the country.

“Many people may not be able to afford the essential drugs they need to take care of themselves,” Oladigbolu said. Meanwhile, a diabetic patient, Mrs Nkechi Innocent, said a certain drug she used to buy for N3,500 had increased to N4,500.

Other patients lamented the rise in price, saying it could promote self medication.Punch