The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government to provide free antivenom drugs and prioritise local production to address the country’s snakebite emergency.
This appeal follows the recent death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene from a snakebite. The ACPN highlighted that over 2,000 Nigerians die annually from snakebites, with treatment costs averaging ₦40,000—a prohibitive sum for many.
The association proposed an eight-point roadmap, including subsidising antivenom under the National Health Insurance Authority, decentralising treatment to rural health centres, and launching public education campaigns against harmful traditional remedies.
Key Points:
Making antivenom free and accessible would directly prevent numerous deaths and disabilities, particularly among vulnerable rural populations.
Local production would reduce dependency on imports, lower costs, and ensure a stable supply of quality-assured antivenom across the country.
The high cost of treatment creates a critical barrier to care, effectively making survival from snakebites a matter of financial privilege.
The recent high-profile death has amplified public and professional demand for systemic action on this neglected health issue.
A comprehensive strategy requires not just drug availability but also community education and integration of traditional healers into referral networks.
Implementing the pharmacists’ proposals could transform snakebite management from a neglected crisis into an addressed public health priority, saving thousands of lives.
Sources: Official statement from the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).
