It has never been easier to buy a fake, or harder to tell the difference. This is the plight of the Nigerian consumer that has sparked an uproar on social media. A common theme in the discourse is a trip to the past reminiscent of Dr Dora Akunyili.
Dr Dora Akunyili served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for almost 8 years. But most importantly, her tenure is remembered for its defiant war on counterfeit products.
The presence of counterfeit products in the Nigerian market has surged in recent times, costing the economy an estimated $20 billion annually. These products include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumables.
Besides the economic cost, the public health cost is the most significant to consider. Furthermore, the major health risks involved include:
- Toxic ingredients and poisoning
- Treatment failures as a result of counterfeit drugs
- Allergic reactions
- Preventable deaths
Nigerians Call Out NAFDAC and SON
Frustrations over the market being flooded with fake products and the difficulty in distinguishing them have led Nigerians to criticise the agencies responsible for quality control.
Whether it is painted apples, fake beverages, counterfeit drugs or cosmetics, the health risks remain at large. Nigerians, however, demand that these agencies be held accountable, as the need for quality control and standard checks becomes more glaring than ever.
“I miss Dr Dora Akunyili so much. She must be there shaking her head at all fake s**t in the country right now. It’s so scary!” A netizen lamented on X.
Dr Dora’s tenure is a testament of the role these agencies can play in safeguarding public health. Despite attempted bribes, death threats, and actual attempts on her life, she led an aggressive campaign against counterfeits. One that left a mark so large that citizens mourn the undoing of her work 12 years after her death.
“The battle against fake drugs is a battle for life”. She said.
This quote holds true now more than ever as Nigerians demand renewed commitments and consistency in the war against counterfeits.
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