A Consultant Endocrinologist at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, FTHL, Dr Olorunfemi Adebayo, has urged governments to address the rising issue of fake diabetic drugs in the country.

Adebayo made the call on Thursday during a sensitization and screening campaign on diabetes organised by FTHL in collaboration with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, to mark the 2024 World Diabetes Day, WDD, with the theme: “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”.

According to him, the rising issue of fake diabetic drugs is a serious concern that governments need to urgently address as counterfeit products can be detrimental to people’s health, and it’s crucial to take action.

Adebayo who noted that diabetic drugs are very costly, especially amid the current inflation and economic hardships, urged the government to subsidize the drugs to enable indigent citizens to access them.

The endocrinologist urged the people to come for regular screening for early detection, adding that many people would have diabetes for years before they showed symptoms.

“By the time they are diagnosed, some people already have their eye, kidney, blood vessels, gum or nerve damaged. This can increase the risk of heart and kidney failure, stroke, foot ulcers, and limb amputation, among others.

“The earlier you know you have diabetes, the sooner you can make these important lifestyle changes.

“If you exercise, watch your diet, control your weight and take the prescribed medicine by your doctor, you can make a big difference in reducing or preventing the damage diabetes can do,” he said.

He urged people with diabetes to eat lots of fruits and vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli, grain foods, green beans, non-fat dairy, and exercise regularly, among others.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of FTHL, Dr Olatunde Alabi, who flagged off the screening campaign, stressed the need to educate the people to know their diabetes status.

He noted that this year’s theme “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”, emphasized the importance of tackling the challenges faced by individuals, communities, and health systems to access diabetes prevention and management.

Alabi stressed the need for the government and relevant stakeholders to raise awareness campaigns on early detection, saying ‘prevention is better cure’.

The CMD advised the people to come for diabetes screening at least twice a year.

Alabi emphasized that learning about diabetes remains the first step toward feeling better and living a longer and healthier life.

According to him, there is no cure for diabetes but there are ways for one to stay healthy and reduce the risk of complications.

World Diabetes Day: Experts raise alarm over rising fake diabetes drugs