Experts don dey lament de high cost of diabetes drugs for Nigeria, saying e don become too expensive for most Nigerians. Dis cry out come after Gatefield, a public strategy and media group, call on President Bola Tinubu to introduce a diabetes drug subsidy fund to help tackle de growing healthcare crisis in de country.
During de 2024 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja, which theme be “Beyond 65: Preventing de Quiet Epidemic,” researchers from Gatefield and DGI Consults present findings from their study titled “Impact of Inflation on Affordability and Adherence to Anti-Diabetics.” De study reveal say de exorbitant prices of diabetes drugs dey overwhelm patients and strain hospitals, leading to more Nigerians needing emergency care due to untreated diabetes complications.
Gafar Alawode, de principal investigator of de study, say de cost of treating diabetes don become impossible for most Nigerians. “De poorest people now need over 600 per cent of their annual income for basic treatment. We dey see fewer diabetic patients in clinics and more in emergency rooms,” Alawode explain.
Gatefield urge President Tinubu to introduce subsidies for diabetes medication and propose sustainable funding through increased sugar taxes. Shirley Ewang, Gatefield’s Advocacy Lead, say, “WHO recommend say government impose a minimum 20 per cent tax to help reduce consumption. We need to incentivise healthier lifestyles while making diabetes medication affordable for all Nigerians. De funds from de sugar-sweetened beverage taxes must be channelled directly into subsidising these drugs.”
Pharmacist Tobe Oloye note say de rising cost of medication dey severely impact patients’ health, causing many to skip doses. “Dis affect their adherence to treatment, leading to financial strain, missed preventive care, and increased burden on de healthcare system,” he say.
A nutritionist, Ify Omesiete, stress de importance of educating families on healthier eating habits. Dr Asmau Ribadu of de Hope for Her Foundation point out say diabetes disproportionately affect women, leading to pregnancy and reproductive health complications.
Dr Nonso Nwaokorie, Principal at Solina Centre for International Development, emphasise de need for a comprehensive approach to strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system. “Effective healthcare require a three-pronged approach: robust supply chain policies, well-trained healthcare workers, and active community engagement. By equipping healthcare professionals and promoting community involvement, we can bridge de gap between policy and real-world practice,” he say.
Azuka Okeke, Chief Executive Officer of de Africa Resource Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, underscore de critical role of supply chain management in ensuring accessible primary healthcare. “State governments must prioritise de procurement and distribution of essential medicines and supplies. Moreover, government support for local pharmaceutical production is crucial to addressing de chronic shortage of essential drugs,” she say.
Dr Biobele Davidson, Managing Director of Strengthening Health Systems at BudgIT, highlight de importance of tailored care models for chronic diseases and de benefits of digitalisation. “Improving de quality of primary healthcare require a comprehensive approach. Investment in care models tailored to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions is essential…. Additionally, digitalisation can empower patients and communities to provide valuable feedback, which can inform policy improvements,” she say.
