The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has made a shocking revelation about drugs in the Nigerian market.

According to the association, about 50 per cent of drugs in circulation are fake.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, made this declaration in a statement to herald the 44th annual national conference of the association.

Ezeh said the influx of fake drugs, foods and drinks had become a major source of worry in contemporary times in the country.

He said that currently, over 50% of drugs in circulation in the country were fake and substandard.

He lamented that various efforts had been made to address the problem but the figure kept increasing.

He added that fake drink conundrum was also assuming a dangerous dimension, as it was being championed by modern-day merchants of death.

Ezeh advised the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, amend the existing fake drug and unwholesome food act.

“Our usually reliable and dependable research-based efforts indicate that we are back to the days of over 50% of drugs in circulation being fake and substandard as against official figures hovering between 13% and 15%.

“The influx of fake drugs, foods, and especially drinks in Nigeria has become a major source of worry in contemporary times.

“The NASS must, as a matter of urgency, amend the existing Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act to become a much more potent Act of parliament,” he advised.