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Skilful warns Nigerians against patronizing unregistered drug stores
An Abuja-based Neurosurgeon, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, on Wednesday
advised Nigerians against patronizing unregistered patent medicine stores to
avoid health complications.
Ogungbo
said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
He
said hospital workers should ensure that all cases resulting from quackery
should be reported to the police for immediate investigation and action.
“What
is needed is proper reorientation and health education of the public on the
dangers associated with the patronage of such places because health is wealth.
“The
eventual cost of managing the complications of diseases `bought’ from these
chemists outweighs the cost of proper treatment in recognized hospitals and
accredited health care facilities,” he said.
Ogungbo
said injection abscesses were common from chemists and patent medicine stores.
He
alleged that fake manufacturers often colluded with owners of the patent
medicine stores in the sale of fake drugs.
“More
so, these people cannot distinguish between original and fake drugs. In fact,
it is cheaper and more rewarding for them to buy fake drugs.
“It
must be mentioned that chemist boys also double as ‘injectionists’ and quack
doctors.
“There
have been situations where they have prescribed and administered injectable
drugs.
“Majority
of their customers end up in hospitals with serious complications.
“Customers
are introduced to new diseases acquired from improper techniques and unhygienic
conditions,’’ Ogungbo said.
He,
however, called on the government and citizens to identify the dangers posed to
the health of the nation by so-called patent medicine stores and local chemists
and prevent them.
“Chemist
shops and patent medicine stores abound in all parts of the country.
“They
are often manned by uneducated men or women, young boys in certain cases, and
most are secondary school dropouts,’’ Ogungbo said.
He
said the shops were usually stocked with any drug and none was sacred to them,
saying even though unqualified, the chemist boys or girls diagnose and treat
customers.
According
to him, they proclaim to know everything, every drug and are ever ready to
‘help’.
“This
help offered at a price can, however, be suicidal, yet their customers range
through the social and educational levels of the public,’’ he said.
He
said drugs with similar names were traded off for one another, adding that such
drugs in most cases had different chemical compositions and were prepared for
different diseases.
“Apart
from being deprived of the correct drug, the customer is subjected to the
harmful effects of using the wrong and potentially dangerous drug.’’
The
expert identified another source of danger as the sale of expired drugs.
“A
look into the expiry date of drugs in some chemists will reveal that up to 40
per cent of drugs being offered for sale are expired drugs.
“The
potency and efficacy of their drugs are also suspect as manufacturers’ advice
specific conditions for retailed drugs which are not met in the hot, dusty
environment of these chemists.
“The
issue of fake drugs must not be overlooked,’’ Ogungbo said.
He,
however, advised the pharmaceutical board and local government officials to
ensure that only registered pharmacists owned and managed chemists and
dispensaries.
(NAN)
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