The Zonal Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Suleja, Dr. Kadir Bamidale Ibrahim, has highlighted the complex issue of rising drug prices and the difficulty in obtaining medications.
He noted that both doctors and the general public are perplexed by the situation, which contrasts sharply with the previous government’s handling of drug importation and subsidies.
Dr. Ibrahim explained that the new government’s policy of naira floating has led to a significant increase in drug prices, making them unaffordable for many patients.
This, according to him, has negatively impacted both patients and doctors, as patients struggle to pay their medical bills and doctors face the dilemma of whether to transfer the full cost to patients.
He said, In the past, the government subsidized drugs in public hospitals, but that is no longer the case. Today, the costs in government hospitals can surpass those in private hospitals, as private facilities tend to sympathize more with patients’ financial difficulties.”
Dr. Ibrahim lamented the dire consequences for patients who cannot afford their medications, stating that they may be forced to return home and suffer in silence.
Additionally, he warned about the dangerous proliferation of fake drugs, exacerbated by the high prices.
He criticized the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for not adequately addressing this issue, which has led to an increase in counterfeit medications in circulation.
The challenging economic environment has forced some hospitals to reduce staff, close down, or diversify into other businesses.
Dr. Ibrahim urged the government to prioritize medical products and exempt them from the current economic policies, as previous administrations did. He highlighted the dramatic price increases, citing paracetamol as an example, which has doubled in cost.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Ibrahim assured that the NMA Suleja remains united and works cordially to resolve any issues amicably, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
He emphasized that the focus in medicine is on humanity, not religion, and maintained that there is a strong, cordial relationship between government and private hospitals, as many doctors work in both sectors.
