The call has been made to the Federal government to initiate medical palliative measures in order to prevent Nigerians from succumbing to illnesses due to inadequate access to quality medications.
Sam Ohuabunwa, former Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and ex-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, emphasized this during his remarks on Monday in Arochukwu, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State, at the funeral of Mother Grace Ugwu Ijiomanta, who passed away at the age of 102.
Ohuabunwa stressed that implementing medical palliatives would be instrumental in preventing a surge in fatalities, particularly among the economically disadvantaged population, who struggle to afford necessary medications to manage their health conditions.
He highlighted the necessity of declaring medical palliative measures to mitigate the impact of escalating drug prices across pharmacy outlets nationwide. While acknowledging the government’s efforts in providing food-based palliatives, he underscored the critical importance of extending support to individuals in dire need of medical assistance to safeguard their lives.
Attributing the soaring costs of drugs to the devaluation of the Naira and the currency’s ongoing challenges against the US Dollar, Ohuabunwa elucidated that a significant portion of raw materials and finished medical products in the industry are reliant on imports from foreign nations.
“There is high inflation in the country and devaluation of the naira. Most of the raw materials and finished materials are imported.
“So, this is why the government should pay attention. While they are paying attention to food palliatives, they should also give medicine palliatives.
“I am hearing about food palliatives. I know that food is good but Nigerians also need medical palliatives to survive”, he advised.
