How exorbitant medicine prices caused health crisis
*Out-of-pocket payments on the increaselPatient care threatenedlRising costs force resort to herbal remedies, traditional healerslWorry over unpredictable effectiveness of traditional medicine For patients in Nigeria, the outrageous cost of life-saving drugs is a daily burden. Several people are now forced to take a risk with their health by extending or missing doses, settling for less potent substitutes, resorting to self-medication or traditional healers, or stopped medication entirely. For those battling chronic ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer, the affordability crisis has pushed essential medications and treatment out of reach for many Nigerians, and strained the public healthcare system. Experts are worried that a significant number of patients who are not taking their medications as prescribed, stand to develop complications and incur even more expensive interventions later. Some patients, who spoke with Vanguard bemoaned the negative effects that rising...