The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised concerns over the rising incidence of snakebite envenoming in the country, revealing that Nigeria records more than 20,000 cases annually, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and leaving about 1,700 survivors with permanent disabilities.
The association called on the Federal Government to urgently remove cost barriers to antivenom treatment and invest in local production as part of measures to curb preventable snakebite-related fatalities.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ACPN National Chairman, Mr Ambrose Eze.
According to the association, thousands of Nigerians continue to die each year from snakebite envenoming despite the condition being largely preventable when victims have timely access to effective treatment.
The renewed advocacy follows the death of Abuja-based musician, Ifunanya Nwangene, whose passing Eze described as heartbreaking. He expressed condolences to her family and others who have lost loved ones to snakebite incidents.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time, and with countless Nigerians who have lost loved ones to snakebite envenoming,” Eze said.
He described snakebite envenoming as a silent but deadly public health emergency that has remained largely neglected despite its severe impact on vulnerable populations across the country.
Eze urged the Federal Government to accord the condition urgent national attention by declaring it a National Health Priority and formally classifying it as a Neglected Tropical Disease.
Providing further details, he disclosed that Nigeria records no fewer than 20,000 snakebite incidents each year, leading to more than 2,000 deaths, while about 1,700 victims are left with lifelong disabilities. He noted that rural dwellers particularly farmers, herders, women and children ,bear the greatest burden of the crisis.
He added that Nwangene’s death at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, had once again exposed systemic weaknesses in the healthcare system, including delays caused by antivenom shortages, high treatment costs and inefficient referral processes.
Eze warned that even brief delays in treatment ,whether due to lack of funds, unavailability of antivenom or shortage of trained personnel ,could prove fatal for snakebite victims.
Despite antivenoms being listed as essential medicines, he lamented that access remains limited in many public health facilities, contributing to the steady rise in snakebite-related deaths nationwide.
To address the challenge, the ACPN proposed a one-off federal investment of about $12 million to establish a local antivenom production facility, noting that Nigeria already spends nearly the same amount annually importing the product.
The association also recommended that antivenom treatment be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme to ease the financial burden on patients, with current treatment costs estimated at about N40,000 per case.
In addition, the ACPN criticised what it described as administrative interference in hospital Drug Revolving Funds, warning that such disruptions have worsened recurring drug shortages in public health institutions.
Eze cited findings from the 2026 Global Strike Out Snakebite (SOS) report, which revealed that nearly all healthcare workers in Nigeria face serious challenges in providing timely and effective snakebite treatment.
As part of a broader reform agenda, the association outlined an eight-point action plan, which includes strengthening rural primary healthcare centres, improving early response mechanisms, and collaborating with traditional rulers and healers to promote prompt referral of snakebite victims.
He also cautioned against harmful traditional remedies, including the use of so-called “black stones,” describing them as dangerous practices that delay proper medical care and worsen outcomes.
Eze concluded that with strong political will, strategic investment and coordinated national action, Nigeria could significantly reduce snakebite-related deaths and disabilities.
“With the right interventions in place, preventable snakebite deaths will no longer be the norm in Nigeria,” he said.