ACPN Raises Alarm Over Surge in Counterfeit Medicines Across Nigeria

Pharma West Africa partner, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has raised serious concerns about the growing circulation of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria—warning that the country is at risk of sliding back into a public health crisis reminiscent of the pre-2001 era.

At a recent press briefing in Lagos, ACPN’s National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, described the current situation as a “looming health and national security emergency,” citing research-based findings that indicate over 50% of medicines in the Nigerian market may now be fake or substandard.

According to Ezeh, this disturbing trend is being fuelled by weakened regulatory enforcement and the inactivity of federal and state task forces—despite isolated efforts by NAFDAC. He further warned that illegal and unregulated drug outlets are multiplying across the country, creating environments where counterfeit products can thrive unchecked.

Referencing historical data, Ezeh noted that a 1988 WHO/Federal Ministry of Health report found that 33% of drugs in Nigeria were fake—7% of which resulted in fatalities. Similarly, a 1998 University of Lagos study revealed that nearly 50% of fake drugs were traced to open drug markets.

Although Nigeria made significant progress under the late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s leadership of NAFDAC (2001–2009), Ezeh expressed concern that much of that momentum has now been lost. He revealed that more than five million unregistered drug-selling outlets are currently operating nationwide.

Ezeh also highlighted the alarming growth of counterfeit activity beyond medicines to include fake alcoholic beverages and processed foods, now forming part of a multi-billion-naira illegal trade with serious implications for national security and public health.

To address the crisis, ACPN is calling for the urgent amendment of the Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food Act, which Ezeh says no longer reflects the scale or complexity of Nigeria’s counterfeit drug industry.

Despite the gravity of the issue, Ezeh acknowledged recent progress. In January 2024, NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria succeeded in shutting down the Sabon-Gari Open Drug Market in Kano, while also commissioning Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC)—a regulated distribution model designed under the 2015 National Drug Distribution Guidelines to replace chaotic and unsafe open markets.

Ezeh reaffirmed ACPN’s support for the CWC initiative, stating:

“We are not against business—we are in favour of doing things the right way. Stakeholder engagement continues in Anambra and other states to ensure compliance with national drug distribution policy.”

As one of Pharma West Africa’s key association partners, ACPN continues to play a leading role in safeguarding the pharmaceutical supply chain and championing access to safe, quality medicines across Nigeria. Their commitment to regulatory reform, stakeholder engagement, and frontline pharmacy practice remains vital in the collective effort to protect public health and build a sustainable pharmaceutical ecosystem for West Africa.