Essential
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4 min
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September 9, 2025
AbdulKhaliq Akinwunmi
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Getting medication in Nigeria should be simple — find a pharmacy, get what you need, and go home. But the stories we heard at GITEX revealed a different reality: delays, stock-outs, stigma, and uncertainty. These challenges affect wellbeing, dignity, and peace of mind. Below are 7 of them:
When your HMO leaves you hanging
*Lekan, a growth specialist who works from home on many days, begins with a deep sigh, before launching his frustration with his HMO's medication delivery. “I’ve had two bad experiences with [redacted] HMO. Sometimes, I work from home, so I ask them to send my medications to my house. It takes a day and a half before it gets to me. What if I’m dying? What if I’m in severe pains and I need the medicine? All you’ll get is ‘oh, the delivery is between so, so, and so time.’”
“There was even a time when the vendor forgot to send the medicine, then he said he’d bring it as he stays in my area. I texted him at 10PM, as he’d asked me to text at night, but his response was ‘oh, I’m sorry, I forgot the medication in the office.’”
*Name changed for privacy
Four pharmacies later...
Others described the exhausting routine of visiting multiple pharmacies just to find what’s needed. “The downside with getting medications at the pharmacy is being unable to get what you want, which makes me go from one pharmacy to another. It’d be helpful to sit right in my sitting room and be able to know which pharmacy has the medication I need.” When illness strikes, the last thing anyone wants is a scavenger hunt for basic medicines, especially since “it's not every time you're strong enough to visit the pharmacy. There are some times when you're totally down and nobody is around you. You can't go to the pharmacy on your own, but you still need medications.” Real-time inventory and location-based routing could make this process simpler.
Medications matter, and stigma gets in the way
For some, stigma turns a simple purchase into an ordeal. “There are some medications you’ll want to get, and you’ll feel some type of way about getting them over the counter. Like a contraceptive. When I go to the pharmacy, there’s always this judgy look as if you’re sleeping around…” Discreet online ordering and delivery would protect privacy and dignity, making it easier to access what you need.
To go home, or wait for results?
Routine procedures also become obstacles. “There are some blood tests that their results don’t come out immediately. Imagine if labs were linked to pharmacies, and after you’ve taken your blood test, you just go back home and your medications arrive at your doorstep.” Delays in results and medication slow down recovery, but integrated systems could streamline care and speed up medication access.
Even Google Maps can't help at times
Technology promises convenience, but reality often falls short. “What I don’t like when I have to get medications is having to find the pharmacy that has them. Recently, I used Google Maps, but the pharmacy was still far, and when I got there, they were closing already.” The search for available stock is frustrating and time-consuming. Verified inventory and smart location filters would ensure you know which pharmacy has your medication before you ever leave your seat.
Buying abroad feels like the only option
Some people turn to international sources, hoping for quality and reliability. “Sometimes, the medications are substandard, and most times, it’s too expensive, which makes me order from abroad. I believe the quality is better, and the medications have all the ingredients I’m looking for. But if I find somewhere in Nigeria that can guarantee the validity of the medications they’re selling and also give me an affordable price, I’ll buy from them instead.” A trusted network of pharmacies can guarantee quality and fair pricing, keeping care accessible at home.
Mother & baby are fine, but they need medications
New parents face their own challenges. “I remember when my wife put to bed, it was a struggle to get the exact medications the doctor prescribed. I went to about 4 to 5 pharmacies, and they didn’t have the particular medications I needed. Eventually, I had to go for a substitute…”
In moments that matter most, the system can feel unforgiving. According to recent estimates, over 60% of Nigerians still rely on physical visits to pharmacies, and nearly 40% report difficulty finding their prescribed medicines on the first try. It’s a challenge that touches everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
These stories are evidences of a shared struggle, and at Famasi, we’re listening. Beyond listening, we’re building a platform that connects individuals and businesses to pharmacies, offering 1-hour doorstep delivery, and providing clear information about medications in stock and pricing. Our vision is a future where medication access is much simpler, private, and reliable — where no one has to choose between dignity and health.
GITEX reminded us that behind every prescription is a person, a story, and a need for better solutions. As we build, these voices guide us — and we invite you to join us in changing the narrative, whether as a healthcare provider, or as an individual who needs medications.
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