Public perceptions of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria and the European Union

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception and experience of counter pharmaceuticals in Nigeria compared to the European Union.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings from this paper are based upon a survey of 362 Nigerians sourced in public places with the data and then compared results from a survey by the European Union.

Findings

The key findings from this research showed some areas of similarity between Nigerians and Europeans on their views on the acceptability of purchasing counterfeits. However, Nigerians were more open to purchasing counterfeits despite the risks. There was also more anxiety over the risk of purchasing counterfeit medicines compared to the European Union.

Research limitations/implications

Due to security issues, survey data could only be sourced from Abuja, Lagos and the relatively peaceful southwestern region of Nigeria. The data is, therefore, not representative of Nigeria.

Practical implications

The purchasing experience of counterfeit medicines by Nigerians along with their anxieties highlights the need for more enforcement action to tackle this problem and reassure the public.

Social implications

The paper highlights the challenges of securing genuine pharmaceutical products in the Global South and the need for more greater cross-border action to tackle the problem.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first survey of Nigerian citizens on this issue.

Citation

Obe, A. and Button, M. (2024), "Public perceptions of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria and the European Union", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-03-2024-0119