As the world commemorates Asthma Day, stakeholders have expressed concerns over how poor diagnosis, rising cost of essential inhalers, and worsening environmental pollution are compounding the asthma burden in Nigeria, where an estimated 13 to 15 million adults are living with the chronic respiratory disease. Asthma, a non-communicable disease requiring lifelong management, relies on early and consistent use of preventive inhalers to control inflammation and reduce life-threatening attacks.
Soaring Inhaler Costs
A market survey by The Guardian revealed a scarcity of inhalers in pharmacies alongside sharply rising prices. Beclomethasone 200mcg, an inhaled corticosteroid, now sells between N93,600 and N103,700, exceeding the national minimum wage. Seretide, a combination inhaler, is priced between N13,500 and N15,000, while Fortide costs about N10,000. Short-acting relievers like Ventolin range from N8,000 to N12,000, and Aeroline sells for about N6,300.
Wide Diagnosis Gap
A recent study among schoolchildren aged 12 to 14 in Lagos found that 14.8 percent had asthma out of 11,000 screened, up from 10.8 to 13 percent in Ibadan 15 years ago. Alarmingly, about 80 percent of affected children had never been diagnosed despite significant symptoms. Experts note that while genetics increase susceptibility, environmental factors like air pollution often determine disease development and severity.
Pollution as a Driver
Global WHO data indicate outdoor air pollution causes 4.2 million premature deaths annually, while household air pollution caused 2.9 million deaths in 2021, including over 309,000 children under five. In Nigeria, cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt record PM2.5 levels above safe limits; IQAir estimates Nigeria's annual average at 23.4 µg/m³, 4.7 times higher than WHO guidelines.
Expert Perspectives
Professor Gregory Erhabor, past President of the Nigerian Thoracic Society, stated that asthma-related deaths in Nigeria are largely preventable due to gaps in diagnosis and access to care. He called for investment in healthcare facilities, affordable medicines, research funding, and a national tracking system.
Consultant Chest Physician Dr. Feyisara Kehinde raised concerns over inhaler misuse, with many patients relying on relievers due to cost. She emphasized the need for patient education and asthma action plans.
Professor Olufunke Adeyeye warned that asthma remains underdiagnosed despite growing prevalence. She noted that many patients are treated with cough syrups instead of anti-inflammatory inhalers, and some pharmaceutical companies have exited the Nigerian market due to economic pressures. Inhaler costs range from N40,000 to over N100,000.
Environmental health expert Francis Nwapa called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, citing PM2.5, vehicle emissions, generator fumes, and open burning as major triggers. He recommended clean energy investments, vehicle emission controls, and a national air quality monitoring network.
The 2026 World Asthma Day theme, "Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need," underscores the need for affordable inhaled anti-inflammatory medicines to treat airway inflammation and prevent attacks.
