Provide free antivenom drugs to prevent further deaths from snakebite – Pharmacists tell Tinubu

Pharmacists under the platform of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, have advised the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to provide free antivenom drugs for citizens.

ACPN noted that this is necessary to prevent frequent deaths from snakebite across the country.

The association made these assertions while reacting to the death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene.

DAILY POST gathered that the singer recently died as a result of a snakebite.

ACPN has, however, advised the federal government to provide free antivenom drugs for citizens.

The association noted that this will help prevent future deaths.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Eze, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, revealed that about 2,000 preventable deaths are recorded annually in the country as a result of snakebite.

He then called on the federal government to find means of providing free antivenom drugs for citizens.

Eze also advised the federal government to support local production of the drugs.

He maintained that the life of every Nigerian is important.

He said: “Snakebite envenoming remains one of the most neglected public health emergencies in Nigeria. While the country records over 20,000 cases annually, approximately 1,700 Nigerians suffer permanent disabilities, including limb amputations, due to tissue necrosis and delayed access to care.

“The death of Ms. Nwangene at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, served as a catalyst for these demands. While FMC Abuja clarified that antivenom was administered, referral traps and stock-outs in local facilities expose critical gaps.

“The Federal Government should approve the full inclusion of antivenoms under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to subsidize the N40,000 average treatment cost, which remains prohibitive for the average rural Nigerian.”