In a bid to tackle the growing menace of counterfeit medicine and safeguard public health, Pfizer, a prominent healthcare company, is urging industry stakeholders to come together and raise awareness about the dangers posed by fake pharmaceutical products.
Olayinka Subair, the Country Manager and Cluster Lead for West Africa at Pfizer, emphasized the imperative for a collective response to this pressing issue.
Subair’s call for collaboration comes in the wake of a courtesy visit by Professor Cyril Usifoh, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, to Pfizer’s Nigeria office. Subair stressed the necessity of joint efforts to educate consumers about the risks associated with counterfeit medicines, highlighting the potential health hazards they pose.
Counterfeit medicines, often formulated without essential ingredients or proper dosages, can also contain harmful substances, jeopardizing patient safety. This is particularly concerning for individuals relying on critical medications for life-threatening conditions like cancer and heart disease.
To effectively address this alarming trend, Pfizer is advocating for partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, pharmaceutical organizations, medical professionals, and pharmacists.
The collaborative initiative aims to prevent the proliferation of fake drugs and equip consumers with the knowledge needed to discern genuine medications.
Subair emphasized, “Our objective is to intercept counterfeit medicines before they reach vulnerable patients, empower individuals with informed choices, and provide comprehensive support to healthcare providers in our communities.”
Professor Cyril Usifoh responded affirmatively to Pfizer’s call for collaboration, reiterating the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding high professional standards.
He affirmed the society’s willingness to work alongside Pfizer in intensifying efforts to raise awareness about counterfeit medicines.
“We aspire to amplify our campaign by engaging with stakeholders across the spectrum. By uniting our endeavors, we aim to make a substantial and lasting impact,” Professor Usifoh said.