The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a strong warning against the unregulated sale and display of antibiotics, emphasising the urgent need for stricter enforcement of prescription regulations to curb the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.
Speaking at the Surveillance and Prescription Support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources Capacity Building (SPARC) – Data for Action in Country Delivery (Nigeria) in-person training in Abuja, the national focal point for human health on antimicrobial resistance and programme manager at the NCDC, Dr. Ridwan Yahaya underscored the dangers posed by the widespread misuse of antibiotics.
Yahaya stated that pharmacists and medicine vendors must adhere strictly to prescription guidelines to prevent the indiscriminate use of these drugs, which has fueled the rapid emergence of drug-resistant infections. He pointed out that under Nigeria’s National Drug Policy, antibiotics are prescription-only medicines, meaning they should only be dispensed with a doctor’s directive. However, the reality is far from this policy, as many community pharmacies and patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) continue to sell antibiotics over the counter without proper regulation.
“No pharmacist is expected to display antibiotics on the shelf or dispense them without a valid prescription, whether in a hospital or a community pharmacy,” Yahaya stressed. “Unfortunately, the unchecked sale of antibiotics by unlicensed vendors has significantly contributed to rising resistance against life-saving drugs.”
He revealed that NCDC is collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with prescription regulations, as some vendors who should not be stocking antibiotics are freely dispensing them without professional oversight. “We are working closely with relevant authorities to increase awareness and enforce stricter laws to curb this practice,” he added.
Yahaya further explained that AMR is among the top 10 global public health threats, with Nigeria particularly vulnerable due to poor infection control, lack of potable water and unchecked antibiotic misuse. He warned that if the misuse of antibiotics persists, common infections will become increasingly difficult to treat, leading to higher mortality rates and prolonged hospital stays.
To combat this crisis, he called on healthcare providers, regulatory agencies and the government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and promote responsible antibiotic use across all levels of healthcare. “The goal is to protect antibiotics and ensure they remain effective for future generations while reducing the spread of drug-resistant infections in our communities,” Yahaya said.
Chairman of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Wosilat Giwa also emphasised the critical role of healthcare professionals in combating AMR, describing it as a serious public health emergency. She noted that antimicrobial resistance is rampant in hospitals and other healthcare settings, where antibiotics are frequently misused and overprescribed, contributing to resistance.
According to Giwa, healthcare workers – including pharmacists, prescribers and regulators – must take proactive steps to curb antibiotic misuse and preserve the effectiveness of these essential medicines. She highlighted the urgency of antimicrobial stewardship, stressing that AMR is not just a hospital issue but a broader community concern that impacts public health and the economy.
“Strict prescription regulations and public awareness campaigns are key to reversing the trend of antimicrobial misuse,” she said. She urged professionals to actively educate patients on the dangers of self-medication and ensure strict compliance with prescription-only policies.
“The fight against AMR is like a liberation struggle – it requires collective commitment and sustained efforts to succeed,” she added.
Giwa further called for greater advocacy and policy enforcement to curb antibiotic abuse, particularly in community pharmacies and informal drug markets, where unrestricted access to antibiotics exacerbates resistance.
“By strengthening regulatory frameworks and promoting responsible prescribing and dispensing practices, Nigeria can protect public health and secure the future of effective antimicrobial treatment,” she said.
Pharm. Kaura Jeremiah, a participant at the training, reinforced the importance of collaboration among pharmacists, prescribers, and policymakers in enforcing responsible antibiotic use. He stated that with stronger regulations and increased awareness, Nigeria can mitigate the risks of AMR and safeguard public health.
The rise of AMR presents a significant challenge to global health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, where the burden of infectious diseases is high. According to Science Nigeria, AMR is ranked among the top 10 global public health threats and has far-reaching consequences for healthcare systems, economic stability and disease control efforts.
Nigeria continues to grapple with poverty, inadequate environmental conditions, lack of potable water and sanitation and weak infection control measures – all of which contribute to the increasing burden of AMR.
Experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to regulate antibiotic sales, educate the public on responsible use and strengthen infection control, the country could face a major health crisis, with once-treatable infections becoming deadly due to drug resistance.
With NCDC’s ongoing advocacy for tighter regulations and responsible antibiotic stewardship, it is hoped that Nigerian policymakers, healthcare professionals and regulatory agencies will step up efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and protect future generations from the devastating consequences of untreatable infections.
