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

No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there is currently no evidence of hantavirus cases in Nigeria, while reassuring Nigerians that the country remains on heightened surveillance for emerging infectious diseases. The agency said it continues to monitor global health developments and strengthen its systems to quickly detect and respond to any unusual disease patterns.

The NCDC explained that hantaviruses are a group of viruses mainly carried by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected rodents or by exposure to contaminated urine, droppings, saliva, or dust particles from rodent-infested environments.

The agency noted that hantavirus infection, although rare, can lead to serious illness in some cases. It listed symptoms as including fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, and gastrointestinal issues, while severe cases may progress to difficulty breathing and other respiratory complications.

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Health officials also clarified that while some strains of the virus, such as the Andes virus, have been linked to limited human-to-human transmission in rare circumstances, there is no evidence of any such transmission or outbreak in Nigeria.

In a public health advisory, the NCDC stated that the overall risk to the general public remains low but advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene and environmental sanitation to reduce exposure to rodents and other disease carriers.

The agency recommended that households and communities keep surroundings clean to prevent rodent infestation, store food securely in sealed containers, dispose of waste properly, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and use protective equipment when cleaning contaminated areas. It also encouraged regular handwashing and strict infection prevention practices in both communities and healthcare facilities.

The NCDC further assured Nigerians that the country’s disease surveillance system remains active and capable of detecting and responding to outbreaks. It said lessons from previous public health emergencies, including Lassa fever, COVID-19, cholera, and mpox, have strengthened Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity.

Officials urged the public not to panic, stressing that there is currently no confirmed case of hantavirus infection in the country. They also warned against misinformation, advising Nigerians to rely only on verified updates from official health sources.

As of the time of filing this report, the NCDC maintains that Nigeria remains free of hantavirus cases while continuing routine monitoring of global and local health threats.

No Evidence Of Hantavirus In Nigeria — NCDC

Breakthrough Study Shows Nasal Spray Could Slow Brain Ageing

Researchers have developed an experimental nasal spray treatment that may help reduce brain inflammation and improve memory, raising new possibilities for tackling age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions. The study was carried out at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, where scientists examined whether targeted delivery of biological compounds through the nose could influence brain function and slow aspects of brain ageing. Researchers say the findings suggest that certain effects of ageing on the brain may be more modifiable than previously understood, particularly when inflammation in memory-related regions is addressed.

As people age, the brain can experience a gradual build-up of low-level inflammation in areas responsible for memory and learning. This process, known as “neuroinflammaging,” has been associated with slower thinking, reduced memory performance, and a higher risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The research team noted that targeting this inflammation could be key to preserving cognitive function in older adults.

The study was led by Professor Ashok Shetty, alongside researchers Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Maheedhar Kodali. The team used tiny biological particles known as extracellular vesicles as the basis for the treatment. These vesicles carry microRNAs, which help regulate gene activity in cells. When delivered via a nasal spray, they are able to travel directly to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier, which typically limits the effectiveness of many treatments.

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Once in the brain, the treatment was found to reduce inflammation and improve the function of mitochondria, the structures responsible for producing energy in brain cells. This improvement is believed to support better cognitive performance. In experimental models, subjects that received the nasal spray showed improvements in memory-related tasks, including better recognition of familiar objects and improved responses to environmental changes.

Researchers observed that some of these improvements appeared within weeks of treatment and, in certain cases, lasted for several months, suggesting a potentially sustained impact on brain function. The findings were published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, a peer-reviewed scientific journal focused on cellular communication and regenerative medicine.

Scientists believe the results could eventually contribute to new treatments for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other age-related neurological disorders, as well as recovery therapies for stroke patients. However, the researchers stressed that the work is still in its early stages and has so far only been tested in experimental models.

Experts involved in the study cautioned that human clinical trials are necessary before any conclusions can be drawn about safety, effectiveness, or long-term use. They also noted that while early results are promising, many treatments that succeed in laboratory studies do not always produce the same outcomes in humans.

Despite these limitations, the study represents an important step in understanding how brain inflammation, cellular energy loss, and ageing are connected. Researchers say the goal is not only to treat disease but also to support healthier brain ageing, helping people maintain memory, focus, and mental performance later in life.

Breakthrough Study Shows Nasal Spray Could Slow Brain Ageing