Actress Mary Remmy Njoku Raises Alarm: "Nigerian Medications Are Losing Their Potency!!!" Following Food Poisoning Ordeal

 

Popular Nollywood actress and film producer, Mary Remmy Njoku, has ignited a fervent public health debate after sharing a harrowing personal experience that left her questioning the efficacy of medications sold in Nigeria. Her candid revelation, stemming from a recent food poisoning episode, has sent shockwaves across social media and put a spotlight on drug regulation in the country.

Njoku took to her platform, detailing her ordeal: "I had a bit of food poisoning on a set. Sent a staff to buy Imodium from arguably one of the biggest pharmacy chains in Nigeria. A medication I've used many times before. I took it for three days straight, and nothing changed. The symptoms didn't stop."

The turning point, according to the actress, came with a stark comparison. "Then my husband returned from a trip and gave me a tiny tablet of the same Imodium, this time from abroad. I took it, and within five minutes, my stomach calmed down. Just five minutes!" she exclaimed, highlighting a dramatic difference in response time and effectiveness.

This isn't an isolated incident for Njoku, who stated, "This isn't my first time noticing this kind of difference in both locally and imported drugs sold in Nigeria." Her repeated observations have led her to pose critical questions to the public and regulatory bodies: "What exactly are we being sold in Nigeria? What's going on with our drugs?"

Njoku's impassioned plea, directed at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), underscores the gravity of the situation. "Imagine taking medication, believing you'll get better. And then dying from something completely treatable, simply because the drugs didn't work. Ha!!! NAFDAC HELP!!" she urged, emphasizing the potential life-threatening implications of ineffective medication.

She concluded her statement with a strong call to action, labeling the issue a significant public health risk. "This is a public health risk and @nafdac_ng must take it seriously. This is dangerous."

The actress's outspoken account has quickly gained traction, prompting calls for immediate investigation into the quality and authenticity of pharmaceutical products in the Nigerian market. NAFDAC, the primary body responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, and chemicals in Nigeria, is yet to issue an official statement regarding Njoku's claims.

This development raises serious concerns about drug counterfeiting, improper storage, degradation, or outright substandard production that could be rampant, endangering the lives of millions of Nigerians who rely on these medications for their health and well-being. The public now awaits a swift and decisive response from regulatory authorities to address this critical public health issue.

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