A recent market survey has revealed a concerning influx of counterfeit inhalers in the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector, significantly increasing the mortality risk for individuals suffering from asthma.

This situation arises less than a year after the departure of the British pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, from Nigeria.

The survey highlighted that both fake and unregistered inhalers have permeated the Nigerian marketplace.

It featured the account of a 28-year-old marketer, Rose Daniel, who shared her distress over the adverse effects of an anti-asthmatic tablet, which she has grown weary of using.

“Each time she consumed the medication, uncontrollable tremors would course through her body, hindering her productivity.

Relief came when her consultant prescribed the Seretide Diskus inhaler eight years ago, which had no side effects.

However, after GSK's exit last year and the subsequent scarcity of the inhalers, Daniel was haunted by the prospect of returning to her previous tremors.

Resolute in her determination, the Cross River native contacted various reputable pharmacies nationwide and ultimately procured three packs to sustain her until the situation normalized and the medications became accessible,” the newspaper reported.

Once the inhalers were back in stock, Daniel informed PUNCH Healthwise that she made it a priority to acquire her inhalers from a licensed pharmacy known for selling authentic and approved medications.

However, one day at work, she noticed a pack of Seretide inhalers belonging to a colleague and was struck by the differences in packaging.

Upon closer inspection, she realized the alarming truth: “It lacked the NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) Registration Number!” she exclaimed.

Daniel expressed her gratitude for having only purchased her inhalers and other medications from a reliable pharmacy.

In response to a report from an asthmatic patient regarding the prevalence of counterfeit and unregistered Seretide inhalers in the market, a fact-finding mission was conducted by PUNCH Healthwise. Pharmacies and the drug market in Church Street, Idumota, Lagos State were visited, and the presence of these counterfeit products was confirmed.