The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has revealed that poor prescription practices, especially in unregulated patent medicine stores is fueling the abuse of controlled drugs, especially like Tramadol.
He made this known while delivering a keynote address at the 7th Public Lecture organised by the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Lagos.
The event, themed “Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community and Socio-Economic Development,” brought together leading voices from Nigeria’s healthcare, pharmaceutical, and legislative sectors to discuss the growing mental health burden and the need for coordinated action.
According to him, while 60,000 stores are duly licensed, over one million operate illegally across the country. “Patients still walk into pharmacies and demand drugs without prescriptions. This must stop,” he said.
Marwa commended PSN’s role in advancing drug control reforms, especially through the enactment of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act 2023, and called for deeper collaboration between pharmacists and NDLEA to combat pharmaceutical misuse and safeguard public health.
Marwa, while highlighting the devastating link between drug abuse and mental health, shared harrowing accounts of individuals and families torn apart by substance dependence. He stressed that addiction is often rooted in untreated mental health conditions such as trauma, depression, and anxiety. “Every week, I hear from parents whose children are in and out of rehab, stealing from home, or threatening loved ones, all due to drug addiction. The mental health dimension cannot be ignored,” he said.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described mental health as an urgent national priority and reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to protecting the rights of mentally ill persons through the Mental Health Law of 2018
He noted that no country can thrive with a rising mental health crisis. “A nation burdened with untreated mental disorders will suffer declining productivity, strained healthcare systems, and worsening insecurity,” he said.
Obasa urged pharmacists and mental health professionals to work with lawmakers to eliminate stigma, push for stronger mental health legislation, and enhance access to affordable care.
“Mental health is not a privilege, it is a basic human right,” he stated. On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Uche Apakama, described mental health as a basic human right essential to personal well-being and national development. He stressed the urgency of addressing mental illness, adding that over a quarter of Nigerians are affected, with poverty, insecurity, and unemployment worsening the crisis.
Apakama further highlighted the importance of the Mental Health Act, signed into law in 2023, as a positive step in protecting the rights of people with mental health conditions and improving access to care.
He added that public education and family involvement are key to breaking stigma and supporting recovery. “Beyond legislation, we need public education, family involvement, and strong community support to break stigma and aid recovery,” he said.
Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, emphasised that pharmacists play a critical role as the most accessible healthcare providers in the community. She urged the PSN to prioritise mental health in pharmacy training and build partnerships with psychiatric services. “Pharmacists can identify early signs of mental distress, provide psychoeducation, and guide patients to appropriate care,” she said.
