Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu has urged Nigerians and government authorities to act against the circulation of counterfeit drugs, baby formula and other consumer products in the country.
Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu has raised concerns over the alleged circulation of counterfeit drugs, baby formula and other consumer products in Nigeria. Ezeonu expressed her concerns in a video shared on Instagram, where she appealed to those involved in the production and distribution of fake products to consider the consequences of their actions.
The actress said she had become increasingly concerned by what she described as the deterioration of young people in hospitals across the country. According to Ezeonu, some patients may take prescribed medication without seeing an improvement in their health, with their conditions sometimes continuing or worsening.
“Somebody will be sick. The person goes to the hospital, the person is given a prescription, the person gets the drugs, takes the medication, but the sickness is not going, still there or probably getting worse,” she said. Ezeonu also expressed concern about the alleged availability of fake products consumed by children, including beverages and infant formula.
“The common drinks children take, you have a lot of fake brands. Children’s formula is fake. I do not understand this whole thing. What is going on?” she asked.
The actress appealed to people involved in the production and sale of counterfeit products to reconsider their actions, questioning the benefit of making money from products that could harm consumers. She also called on government authorities and relevant regulators to pay greater attention to the quality and safety of products available to Nigerians.
Ezeonu questioned whether authorities were adequately monitoring the standards of food, medicines and other consumables being sold to members of the public. “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 said.
The actress further appealed to Nigerians who have the financial means to seek treatment abroad to remember people who depend entirely on the country’s healthcare system. Ezeonu ended her message by urging those involved in counterfeiting to consider the wider consequences of their actions and calling for greater attention to public health and safety.