Pharmacist Calls Out Nigerian Hospitals for Hiding Names of Medications Given to Patients

A Nigerian pharmacist has sparked widespread conversation online after openly criticizing a troubling practice reportedly common in many hospitals across the country: the concealment of medication names from patients. According to the pharmacist, this habit not only undermines patients’ rights but also poses serious risks to their health and safety.

Lack of Transparency in Healthcare

In a strongly-worded post, the pharmacist questioned why many hospitals choose not to disclose the names of the drugs they administer or prescribe. Instead of being told exactly what medications they are taking, patients are often handed unlabelled sachets or printed prescriptions without clear details. This practice, the pharmacist warned, creates confusion and could lead to harmful drug interactions, overdoses, or repeated use of incorrect medications.

Patients Deserve to Know

Medical professionals and health advocates have echoed the pharmacist’s concerns, emphasizing that every patient has the right to know what they are being treated with. Whether it’s a basic painkiller or a more complex prescription, transparency helps build trust and encourages responsible medication use. It also empowers patients to seek second opinions or avoid allergic reactions to known drugs.

A Barrier to Patient Education

One major consequence of hiding medication names is the lack of health education among patients. If people are not told what they are taking, they cannot learn about their conditions or understand the purpose of their treatments. This keeps them dependent on hospitals without giving them control over their own healthcare decisions.

Calls for Regulation and Reform

The pharmacist’s call-out has reignited discussions on the need for stricter healthcare regulations in Nigeria. There are increasing calls for the Ministry of Health and regulatory bodies like NAFDAC to step in and enforce policies that guarantee medication transparency. Hospitals should be held accountable for proper labeling and documentation of all drugs dispensed.

Trust and Accountability in Health Systems

When hospitals hide drug names, it sends the wrong message and breeds mistrust. In an era where patients are encouraged to take charge of their health, concealing information is not just outdated,it’s unethical. The pharmacist stressed that the solution starts with hospital management recognizing that patients are not just recipients of care,they are partners in the healing process. This bold statement from the pharmacist shines a spotlight on a silent but dangerous healthcare practice in Nigeria. By speaking out, they have reminded the public and health professionals that knowledge is power,especially when it comes to medical treatment. For a truly patient-centered healthcare system, transparency must not be optional; it must be a standard.

Written By Fortune Davidson