Do Something Quickly- APC Chieftain, Urges Tinubu on High Cost of Essential Medicines
Illustration photo shows various medicine pills in their original packaging in Brussels, Belgium August 9, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Illustration
Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to urgently intervene in the hike in prices of essential drugs in the country.
The appeal was made while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, noting that it has become difficult for many Nigerians to afford the most essential drugs due to the hike in prices.
Oyintiloye attributed the inflated prices of the drugs to the foreign exchange rate and the weak Nigerian currency.
Quoting from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the APC chieftain said the value of medicines imported into Nigeria was revealed to have increased by 68 per cent to N81.8 billion between July and September.
Oyintiloye, who was a former lawmaker, said that the surge in the prices of drugs had placed a significant financial strain on individuals and families already struggling with the harsh economy.
“When the local currency weakens against foreign currencies, the expenses incurred in procuring these essential medical supplies rise, consequently driving up the overall prices of medicines in the country,” he said.
Follow us for more stories…
Author
