Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, the National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), addressed the critical public health issue of "Fake and Adulterated Drugs" during a live broadcast on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to eradicate these harmful substances that pose significant threats to individual health and public trust in the Nigerian healthcare system.
“The circulation of fake drugs in the country is not something to write home about,” Ezeh stated, underscoring that fake and substandard drugs remain one of the greatest threats to public health in Nigeria. He elaborated that these drugs not only endanger lives but also undermine confidence in the healthcare system and adversely affect the economy, while also fueling organized crime. “This is an issue that NAFDAC has been actively fighting, and we cannot leave it to them alone. Other enforcement agencies and civil society must collaborate so that we can confront this problem as a united nation,” he urged.
As a stakeholder and community pharmacy representative, Ezeh highlighted the necessity of ongoing management meetings with regulatory agencies, whose mandate is to control the influx of these hazardous drugs. “It is the duty of NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies to curb the trafficking of counterfeit and fake drugs,” he remarked, noting that while community pharmacists do not manufacture or import medications, they play a vital role in dispensing safe, authorized products.
Ezeh emphasized that registered community pharmacists are bound by ethics and professional standards established by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). “A registered community pharmacist cannot indulge in mixing fake drugs with genuine ones because we believe in ethics and standards,” he asserted. He reinforced the commitment of pharmacists to safeguard public health, stating, “We know the implications, consequences, and side effects of what counterfeit drugs can cause to our communities.”
Highlighting the rigorous internal controls in community pharmacies, Ezeh explained how their systems ensure the timely disposal of expired medications. “In my facility, any drug approaching its expiration is systematically removed, and we collaborate with NAFDAC to properly dispose of expired products,” he said. “When NAFDAC officials come to our facilities, they will see our compliance with these standards.”
Ezeh noted the challenges faced by regular citizens in identifying fake drugs. “Nigerians may struggle to discern counterfeit products; it is typically the professionals who can identify these discrepancies,” he remarked, adding that by purchasing medications from licensed pharmacists, consumers can ensure they receive authentic products sourced from reputable manufacturers or competent wholesalers.
Through this broadcast, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh called for a concerted national effort to combat the proliferation of fake and adulterated drugs, stressing the integral role community pharmacists play in this fight. His passionate appeal highlighted the need for awareness, collaboration, and the vital importance of professional integrity in ensuring the health and safety of the Nigerian populace.
