By Aluko Mercy, Owotoni Faith
Nigerian parents have raised alarm over the rising cost of children’s medicines, warning that many families may soon be unable to afford proper healthcare.
In an exclusive interview with Royal FM correspondents, Owotoni Faith and Aluko Mercy, a parent, Kemi Akinola, said drug prices have nearly doubled in the past year, forcing some families to either resort to selfmedication or turn to supposedly safe herbal mixtures.
Another parent, Auluwapo Babalola, a mother of two, urged the government to support drug manufacturers and regulate prices to make essential medicines more affordable , a call also echoed by Barakat Olanipekun.
Meanwhile, Pharmacist Ambassador Yusuf F.A. Farason, a member of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, blamed the persistent hike on foreign exchange challenges and poor implementation of government policies meant to remove taxes and tariffs on essential drugs.
Similarly, Pharmacist Oyesanya Adeola noted that although the President signed a policy to remove all taxes and tariffs on locally manufactured drugs, the directive has not been implemented, hence no visible reduction in prices. She also warned against crude herbal alternatives, citing risks of improper formulation and unmeasured dosages
“The foreign exchange rate margin is so wide that whatever rate is coming from the abroad, from whatever country, by the time you are converting it to naira, it’s going to be so high”.
“Parents don’t always have to rush to the pharmacy at every sign of illness. Simple preventive steps like keeping children warm, giving them warm fluids in the morning, and using insecticide-treated nets can reduce how often they fall sick.
“It’s common for children under three to catch the flu several times a year. But that doesn’t always require medication. Sometimes, warmth, proper hygiene, and diet can be the first line of defense,” Adeola said.
Health experts emphasized that even locally produced medicines remain costly and advised parents to focus on prevention through nutrition and hygiene. They further urged the government to act swiftly to ensure full implementation of its policies.
“We’re calling on NGOs, churches, and government agencies to pay more attention to children’s health. Any nation that fails to invest in the health of its young population is risking its future.”
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s executive order in June to reduce drug prices, the impact is yet to be felt, as costs continue to rise nationwide.
