Over 60% of Nigerians fail to complete oral medications, say pharmacists

Concerning the high percentage of partial oral medicine adherence among Nigerians—more than 60% of Nigerians stop taking oral drugs throughout treatment—pharmacists have bemoaned this situation.

They pointed out that there are significant hazards associated with this inadequate adherence, such as the emergence of medication resistance and a greater difficulty in properly controlling illnesses like malaria, which is still a significant public health concern in the nation.

At the 43rd annual international conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, which took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, leading medical professionals revealed this.

Dr. Michael Obaro, a malaria scientist and consultant clinical pharmacologist at University College Hospital, discussed the crucial topic of drug resistance, highlighting that insufficient drug regimens lead to the problem.
He claims that drug resistance can result in more serious health effects, higher treatment costs, and a reduction in the effectiveness of treatment.

Obaro pointed out that problems with patient adherence and inconsistent absorption rates are common with standard oral tablets, which can negatively impact therapy results.

He emphasised the possibility of using soft gel capsules as a better solution to address these issues.

The doctor clarified that there are a number of benefits that soft gel capsules have over traditional tablets.

He continued by saying that this new formulation promises to improve patient adherence and treatment efficacy, marking a significant advancement in the management of malaria.

"Compared to traditional tablets, soft gel capsules are known for their patient-friendly properties, including a more consistent and effective drug absorption," the speaker said.

Furthermore, the Assistant General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Abimbola Bowoto, praised soft gel capsules for being more accessible, affordable, and suitable for patients of all ages.
Bowoto emphasised that soft gels' patient-friendly qualities may be a major factor in improving drug adherence, especially when treating malaria, where regular dosage is essential.