Fake Medicines Surge, ACPN Warns of National Health Crisis

Abuja, Nigeria — The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised the alarm over the increasing circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigeria, warning that more than 50% of drugs in the market may be fake.

This was disclosed by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Igwekamma, in a statement issued ahead of the association’s 44th Annual International Conference.

Pharm. Igwekamma described the situation as a national emergency, likening it to the crisis of the late 1990s, when fake drugs led to widespread treatment failures and avoidable deaths. He noted that current figures from ACPN’s internal research far exceed the official estimates of 13–15%, citing regulatory lapses and inactive enforcement task forces as major contributors.

“The fake drug and adulterated drink industry has become a tens-of-billion-naira enterprise, driven by unscrupulous profiteers,” he said, urging the National Assembly to amend existing laws to give regulators more power to combat counterfeit medicines.

He commended the collaboration between NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), which recently resulted in the shutdown of the Sabon-Gari open drug market and the establishment of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano.

As part of its efforts, ACPN’s upcoming conference — themed “Technology Integration, Personalised Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice” — will draw over 3,000 participants to explore innovative solutions to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical challenges. Key features include a ‘Walk Against Fake Medicines’, policy roundtables, and exhibitions.

Pharm. Igwekamma emphasized the importance of licensed community pharmacies in ensuring safe and effective drug distribution, calling on pharmacists, lawmakers, technologists, and the public to join hands in transforming Nigeria’s medicine supply chain through innovation and stricter regulation.

By Makinde oyinkansola| July 5, 2025