Nollywood actress and film producer Mary Remmy Njoku has raised concerns about the alarming presence of potentially fake or ineffective drugs in Nigeria. The actress, widely known for her work in the Nigerian film industry, called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to take urgent steps to address the problem, describing it as a significant public health threat.
In a post shared on her official Instagram page, Mary Njoku narrated a troubling experience she recently had while on a movie set. She revealed that she suffered food poisoning during the production and had sent a member of her team to buy medication from a popular pharmacy chain in Nigeria. According to her, despite using the drug, identified as Imodium—a medication commonly used to treat diarrhoea—her symptoms persisted for three days without improvement.
She went on to explain that her husband, Jason Njoku, who is the founder of IrokoTV, later gave her the same medication, but this time it was purchased abroad. To her surprise, she felt relief within just five minutes of taking the foreign-bought drug. This stark difference in efficacy led her to question the quality of medications being sold in Nigeria.
“This isn’t the first time I have noticed a difference,” Njoku said. “So I have to ask: What exactly are we being sold in Nigeria? What’s going on with our drugs? This is a public health risk, and NAFDAC must take it seriously. This is very dangerous.”
Her post has since sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences regarding the suspected inefficacy of some locally sold medications. The actress’s comments have once again brought to the forefront the persistent issue of counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria, which continues to endanger public health.
NAFDAC, the agency responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of food, drugs, and other products in Nigeria, has over the years waged battles against the production and circulation of fake drugs. However, cases like Njoku’s indicate that the problem remains pervasive, raising questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.
Community pharmacists in the country have repeatedly voiced concerns over the infiltration of counterfeit drugs in the market. They have advocated for stricter monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains and tougher penalties for individuals and entities involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fake medications. Pharmacists argue that weak enforcement mechanisms, porous borders, and the presence of unregulated drug markets contribute to the spread of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.
Njoku’s call for action aligns with the ongoing campaign by health professionals and advocacy groups pushing for reforms in the regulation of drugs in Nigeria. The actress, who is also a successful entrepreneur, stressed that access to genuine and effective medication is critical for the health and safety of all Nigerians. She urged NAFDAC to not only intensify surveillance but also to implement stringent quality control measures that will guarantee the safety of drugs available in the Nigerian market.
In related developments, NAFDAC has in the past initiated several public campaigns and enforcement operations aimed at clamping down on counterfeit drugs. Yet, many Nigerians continue to encounter suspicious drugs with little confidence in their efficacy, particularly when compared to products sourced from abroad.
Njoku’s revelation adds a prominent voice to the growing demand for a more robust regulatory framework to ensure that only safe, certified, and effective medicines are available to Nigerian consumers. Her experience has also reignited conversations on the broader issue of healthcare quality in Nigeria, especially the need for stronger institutions to safeguard public health.
The actress’s social media post concluded with a stern reminder to the authorities: “This is a public health risk and NAFDAC must take it seriously. This is very dangerous.”
As Nigerians continue to debate the issue, all eyes remain on NAFDAC and other relevant agencies to see what concrete steps will be taken to address the concerns raised and restore public confidence in the safety and quality of medicines in the country.
