ODSIP Newsletter Vol. 1. No. 12

According to the World Health Organisation (2020), over 200 million people living in developing nations, including Nigeria, lack access to basic medical supplies – ranging from drugs to vaccines, among others. Hence, healthcare systems at all levels, are confronted with significant obstacles that hinder the success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Meanwhile, the concept of UHC is to provide access to affordable, safe, effective and quality medicines and health commodities among people living in the developing world. As captured in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UHC aims to reduce influx of counterfeit pharmaceuticals that have invaded various countries’ supply chains. Over the years, counterfeits remain unlawful and pose significant public health risk that can result in death and undermine public trust in healthcare systems and experts.