As the world marked Asthma Day this week, Nigerians are grappling with soaring inhaler prices, prompting many asthma patients to seek alternative treatments.
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The departure of multinational firms like GSK, combined with inflation, has led to a more than 500 percent increase in inhaler prices in less than a year, making essential medications prohibitively expensive for many.
Khalida Jihad, an asthma sufferer for nearly three decades, expressed her struggle to afford inhalers amidst rising costs. “I definitely have to have it, but what about people who can’t afford it?” she lamented.
Others, like college student Rita Joseph, have turned to unverified alternatives due to financial constraints. “For four months now, I can’t afford inhaler because of the high price so, I now use ginger, garlic, cloves, lemon and other natural ingredients because they are cheaper,” she explained.
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Asthma, a chronic lung disease causing breathing difficulties, affects millions globally, leading to more than 450,000 preventable deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
While recent official data on asthma prevalence in Nigeria is lacking, a 2019 survey estimated that the country has 13 million asthma sufferers, among the most in Africa.
Public health experts like Ejike Orji are concerned that the rising cost of medication could exacerbate the crisis. “If the drug to manage that is not handy when someone has an acute attack, it leads to loss of life,” Orji warned.
He emphasized the importance of government intervention in promoting asthma awareness and education. “One area the government can do something is to increase public education and community engagement to create comprehensive awareness,” Orji suggested.
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