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 fuel subsidy removal.
Sesan Kareem, The Founder and Chief Executive Officer, HubPharm Africa, 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.
“The drugs for diabetes, hypertension and the rest have significantly increased. Almost all the drugs have increased by about 50 to 100 per cent.”
Adewale Oladigbolu, The National Chairman, 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.
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.
