JIGAWA RESIDENTS LAMENT SOARING DRUG PRICES AS WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY IS MARKED

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Despite the global celebration of World Pharmacists Day on September 25, many residents of Jigawa State have raised alarm over the rising cost of essential medicines, which they say is straining household budgets and worsening access to healthcare.

This year’s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist,” resonated strongly in the state, where residents continue to grapple with high prices amid inflation and the prevalence of seasonal illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and cholera.

Speaking in Dutse, the state capital, several residents expressed frustration over the situation. Musa Abdullahi said he now struggles to afford malaria drugs for his children, while Fatima Ibrahim, a patient at Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, lamented that “chronic illness drugs have doubled in price this year.”

Another resident, Hassan Bala Karofi, complained of drug shortages in government hospitals, forcing patients to patronise private pharmacies where prices are even higher. Similarly, Maryam Sani, who relies on daily hypertension medication, called for stricter government regulation and wider supply of affordable drugs across state health facilities.

Experts and stakeholders have attributed the price hike to high import dependency, unstable foreign exchange rates, and weak local pharmaceutical production. Pharmacist Ja’afar Magaji, a Jigawa-based pharmaceutical expert, stressed that boosting local drug manufacturing was critical to reducing costs and ensuring stable supply. He also urged stricter enforcement of standards by regulatory agencies to combat fake and substandard medicines.

Efforts to get a response from Jigawa State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Kainuwa, were unsuccessful, as calls and attempts to secure an appointment yielded no comment.

Meanwhile, Governor Umar Namadi recently announced plans to establish a small-scale drug manufacturing plant in the state, which he said would improve access to affordable medicines.

Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Jigawa State branch, Pharmacist Abubakar Muhd, also acknowledged the public’s hardship. He called for government support for local drug production and fair pricing policies, while highlighting activities held by the PSN to mark the day, including health outreach programmes in Auyo, Kazaure, and Dutse, as well as a webinar on tackling pharmaceutical challenges.

Despite such promises and initiatives, many residents remain sceptical, fearing that relief may take months to materialise.