RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAKE DRUGS AND PEOPLE PERCEPTION OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAKE DRUGS AND PEOPLE PERCEPTION OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Background to the study
The issue of fake drugs, also known as counterfeit or substandard drugs, poses a significant threat to global public health. The use of fake drugs can lead to treatment failure, drug resistance, and even death, thereby undermining the effectiveness of healthcare delivery systems. Consequently, understanding how the prevalence of fake drugs influences people’s perceptions of the healthcare system is essential for developing strategies to combat this problem and improve overall healthcare delivery (World Drug Report, 2023)
According to Amaryllis Mavragani (2023), the relationship between fake drugs and people’s perception of the healthcare delivery system is multifaceted. The presence of counterfeit medications can erode trust in healthcare providers and institutions.
When individuals unknowingly purchase and use fake drugs, they may experience adverse health effects, leading to a loss of confidence in the healthcare system’s ability to safeguard their well-being. This erosion of trust can have far-reaching implications for patient-doctor relationships, adherence to treatment regimens, and overall healthcare-seeking behavior (Amaryllis Mavragani, 2023).
Without reservation, according to Sylvester & Park (2022), drugs offer a simple, cost-effective solution to many health problems provided they are available, affordable, and properly used. Drugs are essential for the provision of both curative and preventive health care.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAKE DRUGS AND PEOPLE PERCEPTION OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
The private sector provides most of the health care delivery in Nigeria. Patients or end users obtain drugs from hospital pharmacies (public or private) or retail outlets (pharmacies or patent medicine shops, illegal vendors, and hawkers). The reality is a chaotic drug distribution network handled by both professionals and nonprofessionals comprising both registered and non-registered premises.
Drug Faking is a global public health problem, because the effects can be felt from both the country of manufacture to the recipient countries.
Hence, national measures for combating of fake drugs in country might be insufficient because of the advanced sophistication of those who manufactures and sells them. Nigeria is not an exception in the problems of fake drugs till date. Some people still prefer to self medicate when they are ill, and often time the drugs are bought from unlicensed drug vendors, whose drug quality is not sure. Through the past two decades in Nigeria, the problem of fake drugs has been a very big issue. The relationship between fake drugs and people perception of health care delivery system.
In addition, fake drugs proved a major factor in contributing to high death rates. Over 150 children died in 1989 as a result of a formulation error in a drug. Such problems led to the establishment of NAFDAC, which would help create a fake-drug-free environment (NAFDAC consumer safety, 2003).
Stanback, (2011) asserted that fake drugs are defined differently in different countries. The definitions used in the various World Health Organization (WHO) Member States show that the problem of fake drugs varies from country to country. Fake Drug occurs globally, although there are claims that it is more common in developing countries with weak regulatory systems.
In developing countries, the most disturbing issue is the common availability of counterfeit drugs for the treatment of life-threatening conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Use of fake drugs can result in treatment failure, harm, or even death (Dillon, 2014).
Public confidence in healthcare delivery systems may be eroded following the use and/or detection of counterfeit drugs. Counterfeiting is difficult to detect, investigate, quantify, or stop. Factors facilitating the occurrence of counterfeit drugs include weak penal sanctions and weak or absent national drug regulatory authorities, among others. Heightening vigilance and awareness of counterfeiting among healthcare providers is one of the measures to combat drug faking. The aim of this study is to document the relationship between fake drugs and people’s perceptions of health care delivery system in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The relationship between fake drugs and people’s perception of the healthcare delivery system is a critical issue that impacts public health and trust in healthcare services. The prevalence of counterfeit medications undermines the effectiveness of healthcare systems, leading to negative health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and eroded confidence in the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.
Understanding how fake drugs influence people’s perceptions of the healthcare delivery system is essential for developing strategies to combat this problem and improve public health outcomes in Nigeria. This study therefore investigates the relationship between fake drugs and people perception of health care delivery system.
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1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fake drugs and people perception of health care delivery system. Specifically, the sub-objective are:
- To determine the effect of fake drugs in human health care delivery system
- To ascertain the factors that facilitates the prevalence of fakes drugs in the state
- To examine the measures of limiting the prevalence of fake drugs in the state
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between fake drugs and people’s perception of the health care delivery system is complex and multifaceted. The existence of counterfeit medications undermines trust in healthcare systems, leading to skepticism and decreased confidence in the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products. This can have detrimental effects on public health, exacerbating treatment failures and contributing to the spread of drug-resistant diseases. The relationship between fake drugs and people perception of health care delivery system.
Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from regulatory authorities, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies to ensure the integrity of the medication supply chain and restore public trust in healthcare delivery.
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