"Herb Sellers Are Playing With Your Health” – OAU Don Warns Nigerians

By
       Samuel Faseyitan

A lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Udak Olayemi, has raised alarm over the indiscriminate sale of herbal medicines in Nigeria, warning that many hawkers are putting people’s lives at risk.

Speaking on "Point Blank," a radio programme aired on Crown 101.5 FM, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Dr. Olayemi disclosed that, while some herbs may be potent and culturally relevant, the absence of scientific measurement and toxicity control remains their greatest flaw.

The Doctor recounted the case of one of her ulcer patients who took a herbal concoction mixed with alcohol, which worsened her health condition, stressing that most herbal sellers in the country lack knowledge of dosage, chemistry, and side effects, exposing patients to unnecessary dangers.

The interview was part of activities leading to the 2025 World Pharmacists Day, scheduled for September 25, and themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacist.” The session also featured the Principal Pharmacist at OAU Medical and Health Services, Pharm. Oriola Oluwatobi, and a fresh graduate of Pharmacy, Mr. Quadri Durosimi.

  Dr Olayemi, Pharm Oriola and Mr Quadri at the Crown 101.5 FM live studio

Meanwhile, the session encouraged students with five credits in Biology, Mathematics, English, Physics, and Chemistry to consider a career in pharmacy, explaining that admission could be through UTME, Pre-degree, or JUPEB. Quadri highlighted the departments that OAU Pharmacy students passes through — including Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry — before qualifying or graduating as pharmacists.

Speaking further about the profession, Dr. Olayemi noted that pharmacy offers various areas of specialization such as Pharmaceutical Microbiology, while Pharm. Oriola emphasized the global shift of the OAU B.Pharm degree programme, in meeting international standards. She also traced the history of pharmacy in Nigeria to 1882 in Lagos, before the establishment of the International Pharmacy Foundation in 1912.On pharmacy and technology, Quadri explained that innovations such as prescription software, digital health records, and online pharmacies are transforming the practice.

Pharm. Oriola, while celebrating pharmacists, lamented challenges facing the profession including poor research funding, low incentives, and an alarming pharmacist-to-patient ratio of 1 to 17,000 — far above the global benchmark of 3 to 10,000.

While rounding up the session, the trio collectively urged the public to respect pharmacists, reminding patients that professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure safe, accessible, and effective drugs. Warning against using drugs prescribed for others, stressing that every medications are tailored to individual's health needs.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking Barriers: Exclusive Interview with the Only Female Bus Driver on OAU Campus

By
Image
By Esther Ademola The Icons Organization, in collaboration with Great Ife Network, recently conducted an exclusive interview with Mrs. Elugbaju, the sole female driver on the OAU campus. Standing out as the only woman among the Towngboro drivers, Mrs. Elugbaju has sparked curiosity about her motivation. During the interview, she shared insights into her experiences and shed light on her journey as a female driver in a male-dominated field. Question : Can you introduce yourself? Mrs Elugbaju : My name is Mrs Elugbaju. I am one of the driver of buses in the campus, I'm the only lady. Question : How did you become a bus driver especially in a University like Obafemi Awolowo University? Mrs Elugbaju:  I'm a civil servant. This is just a part time job for me. After office hour like 5:00pm, I do bring my bus and I will be loading from campus to gate and from gate to Campus like around 7:30pm-8:00pm then I will go back. READ ALSO: OAU Secures Two Gold Medals in Judo at FA...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT: Inside UI and OAU Public Hostels

By
Image
By The Icons Organization and Indy Press  For Deborah, a 100-level student and resident of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence, University of Ibadan, staying in her hall of residence was a choice she made because she was in her first year of study. She believed this choice was the safest way to get familiar with the school and its environment. Posi, another student, on the other hand, resides in a school hostel due to proximity. “I stay in Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence because of its proximity to classes; the fact that it is cheaper, it is less stressful than house hunting, and much safer than staying outside school,” Posi explained.  Posi's reason for staying in Obafemi Awolowo Hall is the same as that of many students who find themselves in public hostels — it is often cheaper and closer to school. This goes to show just how important hostel accommodation is for students in any university, as it affects both their academics and overall wellbeing.  Unfortun...
Read more

Fresher's Week'24: Students' Union Holds Freshers Inter-Faculty Debate

By
Image
By  Adetunji Oluwafemi The Great Ife Students’ Union on Monday, 3rd November 2024, held its planned inter-faculty debate for freshmen. The debate is part of the events that have been prepared for Fresher’s Week 2024. The event experienced a slight delay, as the venue was moved from the 1000-seater to Oduduwa Hall by the order of the school management, which requested that the initial venue be vacated because the office of the Vice President, responsible for the event, failed to seek permission before using it. The event began at 12:35 PM. Faculties were paired and assigned topics: the Faculty of Administration and Science had the topic "Corrupt Democracies are Preferable to Dictatorships"; the Faculty of Agriculture and Dentistry debated on the topic "Subsidy is a Necessary Compromise of the Government, and Should be Implemented in Areas of Essential Public Domains"; the Faculty of Arts and Technology had the topic "Civil Disobedience is a Moral Wea...
Read more