The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to pay for the trashing of some identified drugs, some of which include codeine and tramadol that were trashed to reduced access of youth to drug abuse.
The drugs were said to be trashed in line with the Federal Government agreement with pharmaceutical companies to pay the cost of the trashed drugs.
The Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of May and Baker Nigeria, Mr Patrick Ajah who was speaking at a recently held webinar organised by the National Chamber Policy Centre (NCPC) of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) wirh the theme, “Effect of Illicit Drugs on Nigeria Nigeria” urged the government to fulfil her own end of the bargain while commending the government for their support for pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria.
Mr Ajah stated that pharmaceutical companies have incurred lots of losses by trashing the identified drugs in line with the directions of the Federal Government, adding that the agreement has to be fulfilled to keep them in business.
He noted that since conclusion of the agreement, most pharmaceutical companies have trashed the identified drugs or locked them up and many had expired.
The MD also said the drugs are normal medical items which only become dangerous when used in excess and in contravention of medical prescription.
“These are drugs meant for treatment of ailments but when taking in excess or without prescription it becomes dangerous to the body. We don’t know how our youth came into knowledge of abusing these drugs.”
Mr Ajah further lamented on the negative impact of the drugs on the economy and noted that it has increased the cost of doing business, scared away investors and is negatively affecting the balance sheet of producing companies.
He added that the industry is fully committed to tackling drug addiction crisis but urged the administration to fulfill its pledges to the pharmaceutical industries to save them from imminent collapse or bankruptcy.
Olayemi John-Mensah
ACCI Media/Strategy Officer
