Health

Fake, Unregistered Asthma Inhalers Flood Nigerian Markets After GSK’s Exit

Published

4 months ago

August 25, 2024

A year after British pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, exited Nigeria, asthmatic patients who depended on its inhalers faced significant distress due to the medication’s scarcity. Investigations by PUNCH Healthwise have shown that fake and unregistered inhalers have flooded Nigerian markets.

For a 28-year-old marketer, Rose Daniel, having to deal with the side effects of an anti-asthmatic tablet was an experience she never wanted to have anymore. Every time she took the medicines, uncontrollable tremors sent shivers down her spine, making her lead a less productive life. But succour came when her consultant, eight years ago, prescribed an asthma preventer, Seretide Diskus inhaler, with zero side effects.

However, following the exit of GSK last year, and the scarcity of the inhalers, the fear of a return to the daily tremors gripped Daniel’s mind. Determined to spare no cost, the Cross River indigene reached out to notable pharmacies across the country and eventually bought three packs to last her for many months, pending when normalcy would return and the drugs become available.

Once the inhalers became available, Daniel told PUNCH Healthwise, that she ensured she got her inhalers at a registered pharmacy she was sure sold genuine and approved drugs. But one day, while at work, she saw the pack of a Seretide inhaler with a colleague and wondered why the pack looked different from hers. After a quick perusal of the pack, the truth hit her in the face. “It had no NAFDAC Registration Number!” she said.

Daniel said she was grateful that she had ensured she had only bought her inhalers and other drugs from a trusted pharmacy store. On a journey to discovery, PUNCH Healthwise embarked on a fact-finding mission to pharmacies and the drug market in Church Street, Idumota, Lagos State.

Entering into Church Street, the popular hub for wholesale and retail medicines, the tearing sounds of semitransparent adhesive tape (cellotapes) filled the atmosphere. Human load carriers bore several cartons of purchased medicines and hospital consumables on their back to deliver them to their respective buyers.

After a brief observation of the market nuances, this correspondent inquired at some shops about where to get Seretide Diskus. Then, the referrals began. A tall, dark-complexioned middle-aged man enthusiastically greeted another man and boldly said in the Yoruba language, “We’ve been in this market since the 1980s.”

This man would later become a guide as he led this correspondent to the prescription shops where the inhaler could be bought. “If I take you to the place where the other woman described, the price there is expensive, I’ll take you to this shop,” the guide responded.

Unfortunately, the woman at the shop did not sell such a product, leading to another round of referrals. At last, a young man garbed in native attire, called Nosa, was recommended. This correspondent then showed him a picture of an unregistered Seretide inhaler, with the pack content written in English and Urdu, a language mostly spoken in Pakistan and India.

Health

“CARICOM and UNEP-WCMC Join Forces to Boost Biodiversity Monitoring in the Caribbean

Published

1 month ago

November 5, 2024

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"CARICOM and UNEP-WCMC Join Forces to Boost Biodiversity Monitoring in the Caribbean

CARICOM and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) have partnered to strengthen biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts across the Caribbean. This collaboration aims to enhance data collection, support sustainable ecosystem management, and protect the region’s rich biodiversity. By advancing the understanding of ecosystems and species trends, CARICOM and UNEP-WCMC are empowering Caribbean nations to make more informed environmental decisions. The initiative includes training local experts, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and fostering partnerships to promote resilience against climate change and biodiversity loss. This joint effort supports global conservation goals while preserving the Caribbean’s natural heritage for future generations. Join us in celebrating this significant step toward a healthier, more biodiverse Caribbean!

Welcome to the highly anticipated 23rd volume of Diaspora Watch, your indispensable source connecting the vibrant African diaspora around the world! This edition is packed with captivating stories and in-depth analysis.

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"CARICOM and UNEP-WCMC Join Forces to Boost Biodiversity Monitoring in the Caribbean

Health

Breast Cancer Not Exclusive to Women, Experts Warn

Published

2 months ago

October 20, 2024

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Breast Cancer Not Exclusive to Women, Experts Warn

Breast cancer is often perceived as a disease that affects only women, but experts are warning that men are also at risk. While the majority of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women, a growing body of research highlights that men, too, can develop this disease, albeit at lower rates. Male breast cancer may go undetected for longer periods due to a lack of awareness, leading to more advanced stages by the time of diagnosis.

Experts emphasize that early detection is crucial for both men and women. Symptoms like lumps, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape should never be ignored, regardless of gender. Genetic factors such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can increase the risk of breast cancer in men, just as they do in women.

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, health professionals are advocating for increased awareness and education on male breast cancer. Men are encouraged to perform self-examinations and seek medical advice if they notice any unusual changes. Early detection and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

By breaking down gender stereotypes and raising awareness, the medical community hopes to prevent unnecessary delays in diagnosis for men, saving lives and reducing the stigma associated with this disease.

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Breast Cancer Not Exclusive to Women, Experts Warn

Health

Canada Passes Landmark Bill for Free Contraception, Others

Published

2 months ago

October 15, 2024

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Diaspora Watch Newspaper-Vol.20

In a significant move towards universal healthcare, Canada’s parliament has passed a bill to fully fund contraception and diabetes medications. This new legislation is particularly impactful for the one in five Canadians who struggle with the high costs of prescription drugs. In 2023 alone, Canadians spent C$41 billion on prescriptions, with over C$8 billion paid out-of-pocket.

The bill aims to cover 100% of the costs for individuals without existing insurance and is expected to increase federal spending by C$1.9 billion over the next five years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the bill as “real progress” and urged provincial leaders to support the legislation’s swift implementation. British Columbia has already signed a memorandum of understanding, but other provinces like Alberta and Quebec have raised concerns about federal overreach into provincial healthcare jurisdictions.

Despite these concerns, reproductive health advocates celebrate the bill, as it will provide access to contraception for around nine million women of reproductive age, as well as crucial diabetes medications for the 3.7 million Canadians living with the condition. While critics argue that a single-payer model could limit drug access and increase taxpayer burdens, the legislation represents a major step forward in Canada’s journey toward comprehensive drug coverage.

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