Access to medicines for the management of asthma in Nigeria: is it getting worse?

Persistent inflation, economic instability, limited healthcare resources, and the withdrawal of major pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria have constrained access to affordable asthma medications. This commentary highlights the challenges faced by patients with asthma in obtaining essential medicines for symptom relief and control in Nigeria, while advocating for sustainable strategies to improve access across the population. Several barriers contribute to the unavailability of asthma medicines in pharmacies. Even when available, their costs remain prohibitive for most patients. To address this, medicine prices should be subsidised, local pharmaceutical manufacturers encouraged to produce essential asthma therapies, and health insurance schemes expanded to include and cover these vital medications. This could improve equitable access and outcomes for individuals living with asthma in Nigeria.