Lagos Warns Against Self-Medication, Unrestricted Drug Access
Lagos Commissioner for Health Addresses Antimicrobial Resistance Threat
LAGOS—Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, has issued a stern warning regarding the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to both human and environmental health. In a statement released on his official X account Saturday, he urged residents to refrain from self-medicating with antibiotics and antimalarial drugs.
Abayomi emphasized that the challenge of AMR cannot be addressed by government efforts alone. He noted that the unnecessary or improper use of antimicrobial medications provides opportunities for microorganisms to develop resistance, rendering certain treatments increasingly ineffective.
“One Health is not a slogan. It is a warning,” Abayomi stated. He reiterated that AMR is evolving into one of the most significant threats facing both human health and the planet.
According to the commissioner, the situation is exacerbated when individuals obtain prescription medications without an accurate diagnosis or medical guidance. He highlighted a prevalent but perilous practice in which patients, assuming they have malaria, purchase antimalarial drugs without appropriate testing at pharmacies or medicine vendors.
In contrast, he advocated for a more responsible approach that includes consulting qualified healthcare providers, undergoing necessary examinations, obtaining a proper diagnosis, and following a recommended treatment plan.
Abayomi made these remarks during an event for the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Branch, Pharmacy Week 2026. He called for enhanced collaboration among healthcare professionals, government officials, and the public to combat AMR.
He urged clinicians to exercise caution in prescribing medications and to conduct thorough diagnostic assessments prior to any treatment. Furthermore, he cautioned pharmacists and drug vendors against dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions or antimalarials without confirming a positive malaria test result.
To strengthen the regulation of prescription medicines in Lagos State, Abayomi advocated for the domestication of the Nigeria National Prescription and Dispensing Policy. He also encouraged farmers and those in animal husbandry to use antimicrobials responsibly and to adhere to appropriate withdrawal periods before selling animals on the market.
Additionally, he advised the public against self-medicating with antibiotics or requesting them without professional medical advice. Abayomi outlined several initiatives he hopes the pharmacy community will support, such as mapping the pharmaceutical ecosystem for accurate workforce data, enhancing referral pathways to clinical services, and restricting access to medicines that require prescriptions.
He concluded with a stark reminder of the potential severe consequences of unchecked antimicrobial resistance, stressing that urgent action is necessary to protect the efficacy of medicines that are vital for saving lives. “Our antibiotics are becoming less effective, and we are running out of options,” Abayomi warned.
