Corticosteroids Importation: A Hidden Epidemic in Nigeria?

Corticosteroids are drugs that fight inflammation and allergies in your body. You can use them to treat diseases like asthma, arthritis, eczema, and even COVID-19. But they can also harm you if you abuse them or take them without a doctor’s advice and that’s why high corticosteroids importation should raise an alarm. They can expose you to infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, weak bones, eye problems, and mental issues.

You may think that corticosteroids are rare in Nigeria, but you are wrong. The data analysed by the Data Analyst at Advantage Health Africa shows that corticosteroids were among the most imported drugs from India from 2018 to 2020. In fact, Tab Prednisolone B.P 5mg and Tab Dexamethasone B.P 0.5mg ranked second and third in terms of quantities, with 303 million and 267 million units imported respectively.

This is a hidden epidemic that you need to know. Why are corticosteroids so popular in Nigeria? What are the effects of this trend? And should you be worried about the possible consequences of abusing these drugs? These are some of the questions that we will answer in this article.

The Reasons for the High Demand for Corticosteroids Importation in Nigeria

One of the main reasons why corticosteroids were in high demand in Nigeria was the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, corticosteroids were one of the few treatments that could save the lives of severe COVID-19 patients. They could lower the inflammation and prevent the damage to the lungs and other organs.

But corticosteroids were not a cure for COVID-19, and they were not for everyone. They were only for patients who needed oxygen or ventilators. They should have been used under the supervision of a doctor, who checks the dose and the duration of the treatment.

Sadly, many Nigerians did not follow these rules, and they took corticosteroids by themselves. This was because of the lack of good health care, the false information and rumours about COVID-19, and the fear of the virus. Also, some people thought that corticosteroids protect and heal from COVID-19, so they bought them without a prescription or a test.

Another reason why corticosteroids were in high demand in Nigeria was the high rate of chronic inflammatory and allergic diseases, such as asthma, arthritis, and eczema. These diseases affected millions of Nigerians and caused a lot of pain and discomfort. Corticosteroids helped to ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life of these patients.

However corticosteroids were not a permanent solution for these diseases, and they should have been used as part of a complete treatment plan that included other medicines, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups. The use of corticosteroids without a doctor’s guidance causes serious complications and side effects if they are misused or overused.

The Impacts of the High Corticosteroids Importation in Nigeria

The high importation and consumption of corticosteroids in Nigeria had some good and bad impacts on the country and its people. On the good side, it showed that there was a high need for effective and cheap medicines in Nigeria and that the country imports and supplies them. It also showed that Nigerians knew the benefits of corticosteroids in treating some conditions and that they were ready to seek help and relief.

On the bad side, however, it also showed that there was low regulation and control over the importation and use of corticosteroids in Nigeria and that there was the risk of misuse and abuse of these drugs. It also showed that there was a gap in the health care system and that many Nigerians did not have access to proper diagnosis, prescription, and monitoring of their conditions and treatments. It also showed that there was a lack of education and awareness about the dangers and limits of corticosteroids and that there was a chance of addiction and dependence on these drugs.

The Risks of Overusing Corticosteroids

The overuse of corticosteroids in Nigeria can have serious and lasting risks to the health and well-being of the people and the country. Some of the possible risks are:

• More infections: Corticosteroids weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight off germs and parasites. This leads to infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, which kills if not treated quickly and properly.
• More diabetes and high blood pressure: Corticosteroids raise your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which causes or worsens diabetes and high blood pressure. These are long-term diseases that damage your kidneys, your heart, your eyes, and your nerves, and increase your chances of stroke and heart attack.
• More osteoporosis and fractures: Corticosteroids lower your bone density and strength, which causes osteoporosis and fractures. This affects your spine, your hips, your ribs, and other bones, and causes pain, deformity, and disability.
• More cataracts and glaucoma: Corticosteroids affect your eyes and cause cataracts and glaucoma. These are eye diseases that reduce your vision and lead to blindness if not treated early and properly.
• More mood disorders and psychosis: Corticosteroids affect your brain and cause mood disorders and psychosis. These are mental health problems that affect your emotions, your thoughts, and your behaviour, and cause depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, hallucinations, and delusions.

The Solutions: How to Prevent and Reduce the Harmful Effects of Corticosteroids in Nigeria

The high importation and use of corticosteroids in Nigeria is a complex and multi-layered issue that needs a holistic and collaborative approach from all stakeholders. Some of the possible solutions are:

• Improve the regulation and control of the importation and distribution of corticosteroids in Nigeria, and make sure that they are only available with a valid prescription and a proper diagnosis.
• Enhance the access and quality of health care in Nigeria, and make sure that all Nigerians have access to affordable and effective diagnosis, prescription, and monitoring of their conditions and treatments.
• Increase the education and awareness of the public and the health care providers about the benefits and risks of corticosteroids, and provide accurate and reliable information and guidance on how to use them safely and correctly.
• Encourage the use of other and complementary therapies and interventions for the prevention and management of inflammatory and allergic diseases, such as herbal medicines, dietary supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture.
• Support and counsel the people who are addicted or dependent on corticosteroids, and help them to overcome their addiction and dependence, and to deal with their withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

Conclusion

Corticosteroids are powerful and helpful drugs that help treat various inflammatory and allergic conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, eczema, and COVID-19. But they also have serious and harmful side effects, such as weakening your immune system and increasing your risk of infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, cataracts, glaucoma, mood disorders, and psychosis.

The high importation and use of corticosteroids in Nigeria is a cause for concern, as it shows a lack of regulation and control, a gap in the health care system, and the need for more education and awareness. The overuse of corticosteroids in Nigeria has serious and lasting effects on the health and well-being of the people and the country.

Therefore, it is important to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of corticosteroids in Nigeria, by improving the regulation and control, enhancing the access and quality of health care, increasing education and awareness, encouraging the use of other and complementary therapies, and supporting and counselling the people who are addicted or dependent on corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids are not a magic bullet, and they should be used with caution and care. They are not a substitute for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and they should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes other medicines, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups. Corticosteroids are not a cure for COVID-19, and they should not be used without a doctor’s supervision, as they can do more harm than good.

Remember, corticosteroids are not your friend, they are your medicine. Use them wisely and responsibly, and stay safe and healthy.