GOMEP President Urges Crackdown on Online Drug Hawkers, Warns Against Fear-Based Marketing of Unverified Medicines

By Akpovoke Otiti

The National President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, has called on the Federal Government to introduce stricter regulations to curb the growing activities of unregulated online drug marketers, warning that many Nigerians are being exposed to misleading health claims and fear-based advertising.

Otiti expressed concern over the increasing number of individuals and online platforms promoting medicines with sweeping promises to cure chronic ailments such as high blood pressure, prostate enlargement, diabetes and other health conditions without presenting verifiable scientific or regulatory evidence.

According to him, many of these marketers rely on alarming messages and graphic illustrations designed to instill fear in the public, suggesting that people face imminent death unless they purchase their products.

He described the trend as unethical and dangerous, arguing that vulnerable Nigerians are being manipulated into spending huge sums of money on products whose safety and effectiveness have not been independently established.

"It is unacceptable for anyone to exploit the fears of sick and elderly Nigerians for financial gain," Otiti said. "Many of these advertisements promise miraculous results but also claim that consumers must wait one or two months before any improvement can be noticed. Genuine medicines approved for specific conditions are supported by clinical evidence and are regulated by the appropriate authorities."

The GOMEP President questioned why many of the products heavily promoted on social media are not subjected to the same level of public scrutiny and regulatory oversight expected of conventional pharmaceutical products.

He urged the Federal Government, through relevant agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and other health regulators, to strengthen enforcement against misleading medical advertisements and the sale of unverified drugs on digital platforms.

Otiti also called on social media companies to cooperate with Nigerian regulators by removing advertisements that make unsubstantiated medical claims or deliberately use fear to pressure consumers into making purchases.
He advised Nigerians to exercise caution when confronted with online health advertisements, particularly those promising instant or guaranteed cures for serious medical conditions, stressing that medical advice should always be obtained from qualified healthcare professionals.

The GOMEP President maintained that protecting public health requires stronger regulation, greater public awareness and decisive action against individuals or organisations that profit by spreading fear and making misleading claims about medicines.

He said the Guild would continue to advocate responsible digital communication and support initiatives aimed at protecting Nigerians from misinformation, deceptive health advertising and other online practices capable of endangering lives.