HURIWA flays high taxation on essential drugs

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized the recent directive by the Ministry of Finance to hike duties and taxation on essential drugs being imported into the country.

It lamented that the high taxation on pharmaceutical importers of essential medications into Nigeria will result in the death of poor and sick Nigerians who cannot afford the high costs of the drugs.

The group said in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, that the absence of an effective and efficient national health insurance policy in Nigeria has made healthcare very expensive and out of reach of the common man.

It, therefore, charged government to fulfill the social order, which provides in section 17 (3) (d) that Nigerian government must ensure that there are adequate medical and health facilities for all.

“We have been receiving several complaints from the struggling masses across the country that the costs of essential drugs have shot up beyond their reach.”