The counterfeit drug industry is difficult to track, though several attempts have been made to understand the types of drugs affected, experts say. In Nigeria, experts note that many drug users do not know their rights when it comes to purchasing drugs at pharmaceutical stores.
Below are some things to watch out for when buying for drugs
Use registered stores
The choice of a drugstore must not be based on sentiments. Experts say drugs, whether ingested or applied on the surface of the human body, have diverse impact on the body. The note that the first thing to consider before buying a drug in any given pharmaceutical store is to ascertain if the outlet is duly registered by stipulated regulatory agencies.
The Deputy President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Akintayo, who is a fellow of the society says, "The first thing you want to look out for basically is to find out whether that drug outlet is registered by the legal and licensing authorities. As at today, the only agency of the government that has the specific approbation to register pharmaceutical firms in this country is the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria."
Certificate of registration
According to pharmacists, registered pharmaceutical stores are always instructed to display their certificates of registration. Experts say drug users should look out for these certificates when they visit drugstores. They note that it is the right of the client to demand for the certificate if it is not displayed in the store.
"Another thing you need to do when you walk into a drugstore is to ask for a certificate of registration," Akintoye says. "If it is a pharmaceutical premises, then you can be sure that. you will see one, most times at the extreme. It might also be a patent medicine shop, but I don't want to talk about medicine shops because many of them have their flaws, so let me talk about the ideal pharmaceutical premises."
Patronise retail pharmaceutical stores
Retail pharmaceutical stores are most ideal when buying drugs. According to experts, this does not rule out the fact that patent stores could have quality products, but the chances of getting certified products are more with retail pharmaceutical stores.
Akintoye says, "Now for members of the consuming public, the ideal place to go and buy is a retail pharmacy. Most of these retail pharmacies, by virtue of our regulations, do have specified emblems in them. So there is this green cross emblem that people should look out for and it has a GSM number.
"In any place you see such an emblem, then know that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria can confirm to you and can vouch for the products in that outlet."
He adds, "That is another important thing to watch, because most times you see it from the outside. It is within the rights of a customer or client to walk into a pharmacy and demand to see the certificate of registration, like I said earlier. I am emphasising on this because the certificate must be displayed conspicuously in any registered pharmacy. It is also your right to see the superintendent in-charge of that pharmaceutical store if you want to."
Insist on certified/registered products
Drug counterfeiting is on the rise. Experts say operators of some patent drugstores do confuse clients when selling drugs. They advise drug users to always insist on drugs that are duly registered by the government and accredited agencies.
"Having sorted out the above, the next thing you need to know is whether the product you have in mind is duly certified by the regulatory agencies. If you are conversant with the product, you may now begin to check details like the product's NAFDAC number to be sure that it is compliant with specifications," Akintoye says.
Avoid online purchases
This method of drug purchase is yet efficient in Nigeria, experts say. However, they note that most counterfeit drugs are easily sold online. According to them, the rise in online transactions may encourage some Nigerians to experiment with online drug shopping. This, experts say, may be dangerous as regulators have yet to intensify regulations against the sales of counterfeit drugs online.
The major makers of fake medical products are unregulated online pharmacies, experts say. They note that most of these pharmacies offer products whose prices are lower than actual market value and some of their drugs come without prescriptions.
Notwithstanding the controversies surrounding online drug purchase, there are legitimate online stores that have been certified safe, experts say. They noted that these ones should not be confused with counterfeit sites, but maintained that in Nigeria, it is better to shop from accredited pharmacies than risking ones life with drugs purchased online.
IMOH, Patrick E.
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