Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu has raised concerns over the circulation of fake medicines, drinks, baby formula and other potentially unsafe products in Nigeria.
Ezeonu expressed her concerns in a video circulating online, where she appealed to people involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit products to stop putting innocent lives at risk for profit.
The actress said she had become increasingly disturbed by the number of young people battling serious health conditions, including kidney and liver problems.
According to her, some of these illnesses may be linked to medicines or other products people consume, although she did not provide evidence establishing a direct connection between counterfeit products and specific cases.
“I don’t know if any of you has gone to any hospital recently, you will see our youths dying. A lot of them are sick. Some have kidney problems, liver problems,” she said.
Ezeonu questioned why people would deliberately produce or sell products that could harm consumers, stressing that the consequences could affect anyone, including the families of those involved.
She also expressed concern over counterfeit versions of everyday products consumed by children, including drinks and infant formula.
“Common drinks children take, we have a lot of fake of them. Children’s formula, fake. I do not understand this whole thing,” she said.
The actress appealed to those involved in the production of fake medicines to reconsider their actions, saying the pursuit of wealth should not come at the expense of human lives.
“I know we have to get money, we have to look for money, we have to be rich, but not at the detriment of lives. Innocent lives,” she said.
Ezeonu also questioned the disparity between wealthy Nigerians who can travel abroad for medical treatment and ordinary citizens who rely on public and private hospitals within the country.
She urged authorities to pay greater attention to the quality and safety of products being consumed by Nigerians.
“It's not just politics. We are the ones you are governing. Do you people check the standards of what people eat these days?” she asked.
The actress ended her message with an emotional appeal to those involved in producing or distributing counterfeit products to stop, repeatedly warning that children and other innocent consumers could become victims.
“Please, if you are one of the people who are doing these fake drugs, please stop. Stop! People are dying. Our children are dying,” she said.
Her comments come amid continuing concerns over counterfeit, falsified and substandard medicines and other regulated products in Nigeria. NAFDAC has repeatedly warned Nigerians about the health risks associated with unregistered and substandard products and advised consumers to verify regulated products before use.
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