The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has warned that nearly five million unregistered drug outlets are operating unchecked across Nigeria, endangering public health.
ACPN Chairman, Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, made this known ahead of the association’s 44th international conference in Awka.
He said fake and substandard medicines are flooding markets again, with over 50% of drugs now believed to be counterfeit—far above NAFDAC’s official 13–15% estimate.
He blamed the resurgence on weak regulatory enforcement and inactive federal and state task forces. Igwekamma recalled historical WHO studies showing high fatalities linked to fake drugs, and lamented that gains made during Dora Akunyili’s tenure at NAFDAC have been reversed in recent years.
He urged the National Assembly to urgently amend the Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act. The ACPN also expressed concern about the rise of fake beverages, describing it as a multi-billion-naira industry run by “merchants of death.”
A “Walk Against Fake Medicines” will headline the conference, which also features panels on tech integration, AI, and pharmaceutical innovation.
