No tariff hike on anti-malaria drugs, says Adewole

Isaac Adewole, minister of health, says there is no tariff hike on the importation of anti-malaria drugs into the country.

Earlier, Nigerians on social media were circulating news of a hike in import duty for anti-malaria drugs, despite the country’s damning malaria statistics.

Responding to the claims after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Adewole said he spoke with Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, on the  contentious issue. He dismissed the claims.

“I discussed with Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun on the issue of ‘tariff hike’ on antimalarial & antibacterial drugs at FEC today,”Adewole said.

“She said that there was nothing like that and President Buhari had not approved any new tariff whatsoever.

“I appreciate Nigerians for their feedback and concern. We should also hold conveyors of fake news to account. God bless the Federal Republic.”

According to the National Malaria Elimination Programme, the disease is responsible for 60 percent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 percent of childhood death, 25 percent of death in children under one year and 11 percent of maternal death.

“The financial loss due to malaria annually is estimated to be about by 132 billion Naira in form of treatment costs, prevention, loss of man-hours etc,” the programme posits.