The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) says more than 2,000 Nigerians die from snakebite incidents each year and has called on the Federal Government to make antivenom free nationwide and promote local production of the life-saving treatment.
The pharmacists’ body said wider access and domestic manufacturing of antivenom would significantly reduce preventable deaths and complications resulting from snakebite envenoming across the country.
Their appeal aligns with findings from a report by the global Strike Out Snakebite initiative, which revealed serious treatment gaps in Nigeria’s health system. The report stated that at least 50 per cent of health facilities lack the capacity to properly manage snakebite cases.
It attributed the high burden of deaths and long-term disabilities to weak health systems, inadequate infrastructure, and recurring shortages of antivenom, particularly in high-risk countries like Nigeria.
According to the survey, half of health workers said their facilities are not fully equipped to treat snakebite victims, while 99 per cent reported difficulties administering antivenom — the only treatment recognised by the World Health Organisation as essential for snakebite care.
Nigeria was identified as one of the most affected, with 98 per cent of healthcare workers surveyed reporting challenges in administering antivenom.
