Tinubu Having Sleepless Nights Over Soaring Drug Prices, Says Health Minister

President Bola Tinubu is reportedly troubled by the rise in drug prices and the scarcity of essential medicines in Nigeria, according to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa.

The minister highlighted that the president is actively addressing the challenges posed by the high cost of drugs and the departure of multinational pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, from Nigeria.

In response to the drug scarcity issue, the Ministry of Health has been directed by the president to explore sustainable solutions, aiming to build a robust and comprehensive healthcare system for Nigerians.

Alausa emphasized ongoing efforts to combat counterfeit drugs, enhance local pharmaceutical production, and retain companies considering leaving the country. The government plans to establish six medical industries across the six geopolitical zones to bolster medical industrialization.

Despite acknowledging the current challenges, the minister assured Nigerians that the government is committed to finding lasting and impactful solutions to healthcare issues, urging patience for improvements in the near future.

Additionally, Alausa disclosed plans to produce over 120,000 nurses by year-end, demonstrating the government’s focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

Notably, concerns over the escalating prices of essential drugs have prompted appeals, with a prominent All Progressive Congress member urging President Tinubu to intervene urgently and address the accessibility issues faced by many Nigerians.