The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised alarm over a growing public health crisis, warning that more than 50% of medicines in circulation across the country are either fake or substandard—far exceeding the government’s current estimates of 13% to 15%.

This warning was issued by the National Chairman of the ACPN, Mr. Ezeh Igwekamma, during a press briefing ahead of the Association’s 44th Annual International Conference, scheduled to take place from July 22–27 in Awka, Anambra State.

“Our research-based efforts indicate that more than half of the drugs in circulation are fake or substandard, Igwekamma said, noting how this poses a serious threat to public health, expressing deep concern over the resurgence of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

Referencing historical data, Mr. Igwekamma cited a 1988 joint study by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) which found that 33% of drugs in Nigeria were counterfeit, with 7% of these cases resulting in death. A decade later, a 1998 review by the University of Lagos revealed that nearly half of the fake drugs originated from unregulated Open Drug Markets, with 12.8% linked to fatal outcomes.

He warned that Nigeria may be “back to the days of rampant fake drugs,” referencing the decline in regulatory enforcement following the departure of former NAFDAC Director General, Dora Akunyili, whose tenure was widely credited with strong action against counterfeit drugs.

URGENT REGULATORY REFORMS NEEDED
Despite the introduction of the Fake Drug Act in 1999, Igwekamma noted that weak and inconsistent enforcement has allowed the illegal drug trade to flourish. He called for urgent amendments to the Act to strengthen its power, describing the counterfeit drug and drink industry as a “multi-billion-naira death industry.”

He also highlighted the ongoing threat posed by an estimated 5 million unregulated drug-selling outlets across Nigeria’s urban and rural areas.

BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES
Commending recent efforts by regulatory agencies, Igwekamma praised the collaboration between the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in shutting down the notorious Sabon-Geri drug market. This follows the launch of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano—part of a broader national strategy to phase out dangerous Open Drug Markets.

ACPN CONFERENCE TO CHAMPION TECH-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS
The upcoming ACPN Annual Conference, themed “Technology Integration, Personalised Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” will bring together over 3,000 delegates including pharmacists, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and healthcare innovators from across the globe.

Highlights will include a public walk against fake and counterfeit medicines, and sessions on cutting-edge topics such as telepharmacy, artificial intelligence in healthcare, electronic health records, and personalised patient care.

“The future of pharmacy in Nigeria depends on innovation and regulation. We must work together to restore trust and protect lives,” Igwekamma stated.