World Pharmacists Day is overshadowed in Jigawa as residents lament soaring drug prices, with experts urging local production to cut costs

World Pharmacists Day was marked in Jigawa State on Thursday with activities celebrating the vital role of pharmacists, but the occasion was overshadowed by mounting public frustration over the soaring cost of medicines.

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The international day, observed annually on 25 September, carried the theme “Think Health, Think Pharmacist” this year.

Yet, for many residents of Dutse and other towns in Jigawa, the day highlighted more hardship than celebration as drug prices continue to spiral beyond the reach of ordinary households.

Interviews with residents revealed a shared concern over the affordability of essential medicines, especially during the rainy season, when malaria, typhoid, and cholera cases rise sharply.

Musa Abdullahi, a Dutse resident, said he could hardly afford malaria treatment for his children.

Another patient, Fatima Ibrahim, complained at Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital that the cost of chronic illness drugs had doubled within the year.

“Government hospitals often run short of drugs, forcing us to buy costly medicines from private dealers,” said Hassan Bala Karofi.

Maryam Sani, who suffers from hypertension, added: “Prices are high and there is little regulation, which hurts vulnerable families the most.”

Despite federal assurances that drug prices would fall within six to ten months through local production incentives, many in Jigawa remain sceptical.

Experts point to heavy import dependence, volatile foreign exchange rates, and weak domestic production as the drivers of soaring prices.

Pharmaceutical expert Pharmacist Ja’afar Magaji urged the government to empower local manufacturers to reduce reliance on foreign raw materials and stabilise costs.

He also emphasised stricter regulatory enforcement to curb fake and substandard medicines, calling for a united effort among NAFDAC, NDLEA, police, and industry professionals.

Attempts to obtain comment from the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, were unsuccessful.

However, Governor Umar Namadi recently announced plans to establish a small-scale drug manufacturing plant in Jigawa, raising hopes of improved medicine access in the future.

The state branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), led by Pharmacist Abubakar Muhd, acknowledged the public’s hardship.

While outlining the society’s outreach activities during the commemoration including medical services in Auyo, Kazaure, and Dutse he reiterated the call for government support in local drug production and fair pricing policies.