Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System

Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System

The Association of Lady Pharmacists of Nigeria (ALPs) has raised serious concerns over the worsening Japa syndrome (health worker migration), rising circulation of fake and substandard drugs, poor healthcare infrastructure, and increasing substance abuse among young Nigerians, warning that these challenges are undermining the country’s healthcare system.

The warning came ahead of the association’s 17th Biennial Conference scheduled to hold in Enugu from May 11 to 16, 2026. The conference is expected to bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss solutions to Nigeria’s growing health sector challenges.

The conference, themed “Women and Resilience: Sustaining Health and Wellness in Challenging Times,” will focus on key issues affecting healthcare delivery in Nigeria. These include artificial intelligence in healthcare, medicine security, mental health, drug abuse prevention, and strategies for strengthening women’s roles in the health sector.

National Chairman of ALPs, Pharm. Mnena Scholastica Lan, said the ongoing migration of healthcare workers abroad is placing severe pressure on Nigeria’s already fragile health system. She noted that many young pharmacists and other health professionals are leaving the country due to poor working conditions, low remuneration and limited career opportunities.

According to her, the Japa syndrome has become a major threat to healthcare sustainability, as newly trained pharmacists struggle to secure internships, NYSC placements and employment opportunities within the country. She added that these frustrations are driving many to seek better prospects abroad, while several experienced pharmacists have also relocated.

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Lan further lamented the poor state of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria, saying many public hospitals lack basic equipment needed for effective medical care. She recounted her experience at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where critical care units were poorly equipped, including situations where drip stands were unavailable and makeshift arrangements were used for patient care. She noted that conditions improved only after infrastructural intervention by partners.

She stressed that even highly skilled healthcare professionals cannot deliver quality services without adequate infrastructure, adding that improved investment in equipment and training would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.

The association also raised alarm over the growing prevalence of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria, describing it as a serious public health threat. Lan said the problem is driven largely by greed and weak ethical standards, with some individuals deliberately producing counterfeit medicines for profit.

She warned that fake drugs, particularly those used in critical treatments such as cancer care, are leading to treatment failure, complications and avoidable deaths. She also cautioned Nigerians against purchasing medicines from roadside vendors, describing such products as unsafe and potentially dangerous.

Lan referenced the efforts of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili in the fight against counterfeit drugs, calling for renewed national commitment to safeguarding the pharmaceutical sector.

The ALPs chairman also expressed concern over rising drug abuse among Nigerian youths, describing it as a growing public health emergency. She said unemployment, frustration and lack of awareness are contributing to increased substance abuse across communities, especially among young people.

She added that the association has continued to carry out drug abuse awareness campaigns in schools and communities to educate young Nigerians on the dangers of substance misuse.

On maternal health, Lan identified delays in seeking medical care as a major cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria. She said many deaths could be prevented if families and communities respond faster during emergencies.

According to her, a significant proportion of maternal mortality cases are linked to behavioural delays, including late hospital visits and poor emergency response.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Titilayo Onedo, said the upcoming conference will focus on practical solutions to improve the welfare of women in healthcare and strengthen resilience in a challenging working environment.

She noted that female healthcare professionals continue to face the dual burden of professional responsibilities and family obligations, especially within a struggling health system.

Lady Pharmacists Warn of Japa Syndrome, Fake Drugs, Weak Healthcare System