Popular Nollywood actress and film producer, Mary Remmy Njoku, has sounded a serious warning over the quality of pharmaceutical drugs being sold in Nigeria, following a disturbing personal encounter.
The actress took to her verified Instagram page to narrate how a recent case of food poisoning during a movie shoot left her in pain for days, despite taking a widely used anti-diarrhoea medication, Imodium, which she bought from a well-known pharmacy chain in Nigeria.
According to her, the drug failed to relieve her symptoms even after consistent use for three days. However, she said that a single dose of the same drug—purchased abroad by her husband—gave her immediate relief.
“I want to share a recent experience,” Njoku began. “I had food poisoning on a set and sent a staff member to buy Imodium from a well-known pharmacy chain in Nigeria. A medication I’ve used many times before. I took it for about three days but my symptoms persisted.”
She continued: “Then my husband bought a tiny tablet of the same Imodium from abroad and after taking it, my stomach issues subsided within just five minutes. This isn’t the first time I have noticed a difference. So I have to ask: What exactly are we being sold in Nigeria? What’s going on with our drugs?”
Expressing concern over the health implications for millions of Nigerians who rely on over-the-counter medicines, the mother of three made a passionate appeal to regulatory authorities.
“This is a public health risk and NAFDAC must take it seriously. This is very dangerous,” she warned.
Her post has since sparked widespread concern and debate across social media platforms, with many Nigerians sharing similar experiences and calling for greater scrutiny of pharmaceutical products sold locally.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is yet to issue an official response to the allegations as of the time of this report.
