The story of Gloria Mofifoluwa, a 24-year-old asthma sufferer in Ibadan, Nigeria, highlights the challenges faced by many in accessing affordable medication. After a major health pharmaceutical company left the country, the prices of inhalers skyrocketed, leaving many like Mofifoluwa struggling to afford the medication they need to manage their condition. The scarcity and rising prices of inhalers have resulted in increased stress and fear for asthma patients, who are finding it difficult to obtain the necessary medication to control their symptoms.
The economic hardships faced by vulnerable groups, such as students and low-income earners, were exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s removal of a fuel subsidy in 2023, leading to a sharp increase in petrol prices and an inflation rate of above 27 percent. The president’s monetary policies further devalued the naira against the US dollar, creating a challenging economic environment in which businesses, including international pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), exited the Nigerian market. This departure contributed to rising prices and increased scarcity of essential medications, such as inhalers, for asthma patients.
The exit of GSK, a major supplier of inhalers in Nigeria, has had a significant impact on asthma patients, who now struggle to afford the medication they need to manage their condition. With limited access to affordable healthcare and a reliance on imported medicines, the high cost of inhalers poses a significant financial burden for asthma patients in a country where the minimum monthly wage is only $20. The scarcity and rising prices of inhalers have forced many patients to forgo essential items in order to save money for medication, increasing the risk of uncontrolled asthma symptoms.
The high prevalence of asthma in Nigeria, estimated at around 13-15 million cases, coupled with limited access to quality healthcare services, has created a healthcare crisis for asthma patients in the country. In response to the challenges faced by asthma patients, initiatives like the #AttackAgainstAsthma campaign at the University of Ibadan have aimed to provide free inhalers to those in need. However, the overall scarcity and cost of inhalers in Nigeria remain a major concern, with many patients unable to afford the medication they require to manage their condition effectively.
The scarcity and high prices of inhalers in Nigeria have led to concerns about healthcare outcomes for asthma patients, as limited access to essential medications could result in increased morbidity and mortality rates. As the government works towards addressing the high cost of medicines, including essential asthma treatments, healthcare professionals and experts stress the importance of developing policies to make medications more affordable and improving access to quality healthcare services. Until meaningful solutions are implemented, asthma patients like Mofifoluwa continue to navigate the challenges of managing their condition in a healthcare system plagued by scarcity and high costs of essential medications.
