According to Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Ltd., industry participants must work together to raise public awareness of the risks posed by fake pharmaceutical and medical products.
When the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh, visited Pfizer’s office in Nigeria on Monday, Mr. Olayinka Subair, Cluster Lead for West Africa/Country Manager, said this.
According to Subair, the risk posed by fake goods is not going away.
“Pfizer is seeking collaboration with stakeholders on efforts to educate consumers about counterfeit medicines because patients need the knowledge to protect their health from counterfeiters,” the spokesperson said.
According to him, important chemicals and quantities are frequently omitted from counterfeit medications, or dangerous additives are introduced.
Subair added that as a result, patients who take fake medications lose the therapeutic benefits they rely on to treat their ailments, including life-saving drugs for cancer and heart disease.
Subair said Pfizer was working with industry stakeholders to make sure patients have the knowledge they need to avoid fake medications in order to combat the threat of counterfeits to patient health.
“Pfizer is looking for partnerships with governmental organisations, pharmaceutical associations, medical professionals, chemists, and business partners to assist spread awareness of the rising issue of fake medications.
Together, we work to address this risk to patient health by preventing counterfeit products from getting to patients, arming consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, and assisting local healthcare providers.
Usifoh responded by saying that the PSN would support and collaborate with Pfizer as an organisation that strives to uphold a high standard of professional ethics and discipline among its members.
By contacting stakeholders, “we would see how we can amplify and see how far we can drive this campaign successfully,” he said.
According to data from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria has between 13% and 15% of fraudulent medications, according to OBASANJO NEWS24.
