The Press Sensitization of the Public on Fake Drugs in Nigeria, an Evaluation of the Advert Coverage by the Nigerian Press
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain whether Newspaper creating awareness about fake drugs, foods, cosmetics and drinks
- To ascertain the extent Newspaper helped in exposing organization producing adulterated drugs, food and drinks
- To ascertain whether newspapers passing information about seizure and destruction of adulterated products
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
In most developing countries, “prevalence” of 10-25% of the medicines may be counterfeit and can affect both developed and developing countries especially in countries that have weak regulation and enforcement in drug manufacture, importation, distribution supply and chain (WHO, 1999). According to an estimate by US based centre for medicines, one in 10 medicines sold worldwide is fake, and the sale of fake medicines will globally reach US$ 75 billion by 2010 (WHO, 2006). There are different methods of drug faking such as, tampering with original packages of large pack sized drugs, label swapping of two products manufactured by the same company, making the appearance of a counterfeit product look like original, labeling a low price drug products as the same with high price product label, passing off a company product for another product. (Erhun, 2001). Most drugs are identical to the real ones in terms of packaging, labels and even appearance because they are faked not by amateurs in drug business, but scientists and knowledgeable individuals whose aim is profit oriented (Lerer 2006). In Burma, the effects of cheap drugs that are imitated causes more harm than good to the consumers and the ultimate price after consumption are more costly. With widespread poverty, the price of medicines should be a major concern because many people will go for the cheaper alternative unaware that the contents will do little or nothing to aid the illness (Seng 2006). In India, sale of fake drugs ranges from qualified pharmacists to shopkeepers and mobile salespersons with no formal training in drug business; this is similar in most developing countries. The consumer’s lack of knowledge on drug quality makes them vulnerable to the business interest of drug sellers (Nordberg, 2004) The Nigerian supply of meningitis vaccines to Niger in 1995 during an epidemic also resulted in about 2500 death after vaccination. China, Nigeria and the former soviet republics are singled out regularly as center of drug counterfeit production (Health system trust 2008). The number of deaths and degree of deformity caused by fake drugs in Nigeria cannot be estimated or quantified, these blames comes to the government and NAFDAC in their poor ability to combat the problems that fake drugs brings to its population (Nigerian Tribune, 2007). Variety of factors that encourage fake drug proliferation are: lack of political will and commitment, lack of appropriate drug legislation, absence of or weak regulation, weak enforcement and penal sanctions, corruption and conflict of interest, demand exceeding supply, high price of medicine, inefficient cooperation between stakeholders, lack of regulation by exporting countries (WHO, 2008). The limitations in scientific knowledge among drug sellers and low awareness of consumers, helps the continued existence of low quality drugs. (Skhahang, 2004). Efforts is made by world Health Organization in collaboration with other international agencies in support of countries regulating agencies in fighting fake drugs, thus, less than 20% of WHO member state mostly from industrialized world have well developed drug regulation system (Ratanawijitrasin, 2002). WHO also made guidelines for drug regulating authorities on what countries can do for effective regulation and enforcement. It state that DRA should be competent, independent with strong political backing, they must have a clear mission with sufficient legal power, appropriate organizational structure and facilities, adequate number of qualified staff that are motivated and experienced, adequate financial support and supportive tools such as standards, procedures and guidelines (WHO, 2008).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought the press sensitization of the public on fake drugs in Nigeria, an evaluation of the advert coverage by the Nigerian press.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on the press sensitization of the public on fake drugs in Nigeria, an evaluation of the advert coverage by the Nigerian press. 200 staff of NAFDAC, Lagos state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain The press sensitization of the public on fake drugs in Nigeria, an evaluation of the advert coverage by the Nigerian press
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of press sensitization of the public on fake drugs in Nigeria, an evaluation of the advert coverage by the Nigerian press
Summary
This study was on the press sensitization of the public on fake drugs in Nigeria, an evaluation of the advert coverage by the Nigerian press. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain whether Newspaper creating awareness about fake drugs, foods, cosmetics and drinks, to ascertain the extent Newspaper helped in exposing organization producing adulterated drugs, food and drinks and to ascertain whether newspapers passing information about seizure and destruction of adulterated products. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of NAFDAC. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up directors, administrative staffs, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
After due consideration of these findings, this paper concludes that NAFDAC has not reduced or eliminated the production, distribution and consumption of fake/counterfeit drugs in the Nigeria. This is because of inappropriate media awareness campaign, people’s inability to procure the appropriate phone technology and access good network services required to operate the MAS scheme
Recommendation
Network providers should extend or establish their reception masks across the country to improve their access. These will improve the efficaciousness of MAS scheme in eliminating fake drugs production, distribution and consumption in Nigeria
References
- Agbaraji, E. C., & Ezeh, G. N. (September 2012).Food and Drug Counterfeiting in the Developing Nations; the Implications and Way-out. Academic Research International, 3(2), 24-33.
- Akinyandenu, O. (2013). Counterfeit drugs in Nigeria: A threat to public health. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7(36), 2571-2576. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP12.343
- Akunyili, D. (2005). Counterfeit and Sub-standard Drugs, Nigeria’s Experience: Implications, Challenges, Actions and Recommendations. A paper presented at a meeting for key interest groups on health organised by the World Bank in Washington D. C. 10th -11th March.
- Akunyili, D. N. (2010). The War against Counterfeit Medicine: My Story. Ibadan: Safari Books Ltd.
- Bamitale, K. D. S. (2013). The effects of fake and expired drugs on Health. Retrieved from http://www.oauife.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fake-drug-andhealth-implications-by-bami tale.doc
- Chandu, G. (2011). Detect Counterfeit Drugs Through Cloud Services Technology, System Evolved from HP’s Pilot African Project. Retrieved from http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/news/30218200_1_counterfeitdrugs-life-saving-dr ugs-fake-medicines
- Dike, O. N.,Onah, J. O., & Onwuka, E. (2014). An Assessment of the Effects of Communication Network in Curbing Unethical Marketing Practices of Drug Firms in Nigeria. Management and Administrative Sciences Review, 3(2), 322-333
