Nigeria’s High Drug Import Tariffs: A Barrier to Essential Medicines for Non-Communicable Diseases
Steep tariffs on imported drugs in Nigeria are driving up prices, making essential medicines for non-communicable diseases unaffordable for many. This situation is exacerbated by the heavy tax burden imposed by government agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Nigeria Customs Service. With a significant portion of drugs being imported, these charges are affecting the accessibility of crucial medications.
Key Points:
- Tariffs and Affordability:
- Patients in Nigeria are paying several times more than international prices for medicines due to the taxes imposed during the importation process. These costs are pushing essential medicines out of reach for a large portion of the population.
- Impact on Healthcare Spending:
- With over 70 percent of drugs being imported, the high tariffs are contributing to the already significant out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Nigeria. More than 100 million people fall into extreme poverty annually due to healthcare costs.
- Need for Targeted Interventions:
- Experts advocate for targeted interventions, including parallel importation of single-source products, price negotiations, and capacity building in rational procurement. These measures can help alleviate the financial burden on patients.
- Affordability Challenges:
- Studies reveal that medicines in Nigeria can cost between two to 64 times international reference prices. The majority of Nigerians live below the income level of $2 a day, making many medicines financially inaccessible.
- NCDs and Healthcare Spending:
- Nigeria faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung problems. Despite this, the country allocates very little to NCD care, leading to economic hardships for households.
Conclusion:
High import tariffs on drugs in Nigeria are exacerbating the challenges of accessing essential medicines, particularly for non-communicable diseases. Addressing this issue is crucial for improving healthcare affordability and reducing the economic burden on patients. Targeted interventions and increased allocation to NCD care are among the strategies that can help alleviate this problem.
