The Federal government has been advised to commence medical palliatives to save Nigerians from dying because of lack of access to quality drugs.
The former Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa stated this on Monday in Arochukwu, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State during the burial of Mother Grace Ugwu Ijiomanta who died at 102 years.
He said this would save Nigerians, especially the poor ones from dying in large numbers because of their inability to buy drugs or manage their ailments.
He noted that declaring medical palliatives would cushion the effects of the rising prices of drugs in pharmacy stores nationwide.
He observed that most palliative programs carried out by the previous and present administrations in the country were concentrated in foods, arguing that while it was good for the government to give foods, the program would not achieve total results if people were not given medical palliatives to save their lives.
He blamed the rising cost of drugs on the devaluation of the Naira and the nation’s currency’s struggles against the US Dollars, and explained that most raw and finished products in the medical industry were imported from foreign countries.
“There is high inflation in the country and devaluation of the naira. Most of the raw materials and finished materials are imported.
“So, this is why the government should pay attention. While they are paying attention to food palliatives, they should also give medicine palliatives.
“I am hearing about food palliatives. I know that food is good but Nigerians also need medical palliatives to survive”, he advised.