{"id":12800,"date":"2025-08-04T02:38:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T02:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edumarkng.com\/news\/silent-killer-soaring-drug-costs-ignorance-fueling-hypertension-deaths\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T02:38:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T02:38:00","slug":"silent-killer-soaring-drug-costs-ignorance-fueling-hypertension-deaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edumarkng.com\/news\/silent-killer-soaring-drug-costs-ignorance-fueling-hypertension-deaths\/","title":{"rendered":"Silent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Silent<\/div>

Silent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths, <\/p>\n

\u2022Over 41m Nigerians at risk as hypertension cases surge<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Patients forced into deadly \u2018drug holiday\u2019 as treatment becomes unaffordable<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022Experts warn of national emergency as sudden deaths spike nationwide<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022We\u2019re addressing problem \u2013 FG<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Chioma Obinna<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hypertension, often referred to as the \u201csilent killer,\u201d continues to reshape the lives of millions of Nigerians quietly.
For many hypertensive patients, there is constant fear of going to bed and not waking up, as the country faces a disturbing trend of sudden deaths, many of which are linked to uncontrolled hypertension.<\/p>\n

With over 41 million Nigerians living with hypertension, challenges of proper control of the disease have currently worsened, with the unprecedented high cost of drugs, coupled with the hardships occasioned by the economic woes of the country.<\/p>\n

Today, Nigeria reports cases of sudden death almost daily. A diagnosis of hypertension now feels like a death sentence, not necessarily from the disease itself, but from the overwhelming financial burden it brings.<\/p>\n

Many patients, out of fear and ignorance, are reluctant to stay on lifelong medication.<\/h3>\n

Studies show that over 41 million adult Nigerians, about 38 to 40 per cent, of the population, are hypertensive.
This means at least four in 10 adults are living with the condition. Of these, only 60 per cent are aware of their status, about 30 per cent on treatment, and just 10 to 15 per cent have their blood pressure under control.<\/p>\n

Findings by Vanguard showed that hypertension is no longer silent in Nigeria. It is screaming through rising mortality rates, overburdened hospitals, and the agonising choices of patients forced to pick between meals and medication. Sudden deaths are now so frequent that experts suspect hypertension plays a major role, even though families often do not disclose the causes.<\/p>\n

Pharmacists, drug manufacturers, physicians and cardiologists warn that millions of Nigerians are silently battling high blood pressure without the means to treat it adequately. For many, the monthly cost of staying alive is unaffordable. As more patients are forced into drug holidays due to rising medication costs, experts fear the trend of sudden deaths will only worsen.<\/p>\n

Hypertension has taken a heavy financial toll on Nigerians like 46-year-old David Ogbo, who was diagnosed five years ago. \u201cI didn\u2019t even feel sick. It was during a routine check-up that the doctor said my blood pressure was dangerously high,\u201d David recalled. Since then, managing the condition has been an uphill battle. \u201cSome days I feel fine, but the constant fear that something could go wrong is exhausting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI spend about \u00a6 15,000 monthly on medication,\u201d he said, shaking his head. \u201cThat\u2019s a big chunk of my income. Sometimes, I have to choose between buying my drugs and paying other bills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another patient, Nwankwo Chijioke, at one of the pharmacies visited, told Vanguard that at 54, it had been a struggle. He spends around \u00a6 25,000 a month on medications. \u201cOnce, I skipped my pills for two weeks because I was broke. I ended up in the hospital with severe complications, it was a wake-up call.\u201d<\/p>\n

The emotional toll of living with hypertension is just as significant. Chijioke admitted that the condition has affected his relationships. \u201cI don\u2019t have the energy I used to, and I feel like a burden to my wife sometimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s lonely. People don\u2019t see hypertension as serious until it\u2019s too late. I\u2019ve lost two close friends to stroke because they couldn\u2019t afford their medications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both David and Chijioke believe more needs to be done to support hypertension patients, especially as the prices of drugs have continued to soar.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need affordable medications. The government should provide free blood pressure checks in communities and subsidise drugs. Awareness campaigns are also critical. People need to know how serious this is before it\u2019s too late.\u201d
Investigations showed that across the country, millions of Nigerians are silently battling high blood pressure, often without the means to treat it adequately. For many, the monthly cost of staying alive is now unaffordable.<\/p>\n

Price of life<\/h3>\n

Pharm. Amakeze Azubike, Chief Executive Officer of Health Peak Pharmaceutical, said: \u201cThree years ago, premium brands of hypertensive drugs, such as Novasc, were about N2,000 per sachet. Today, it is over N8,000, and you need at least three sachets a month. That\u2019s up to N24,000\u2013N28,000 monthly. For the average Nigerian, that\u2019s unsustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amlodipine, one of the most prescribed antihypertensives, comes in many forms. \u201cWe have premium brands such as Novasc and Asomex, and then generics as Poco Amlodipine, Teva, Amlovar, and Amlong. The generics cost between N1,000 and N1,500 per month, still expensive for many.<\/p>\n

\u201cNovasc, the premium brand, was selling for about N2,000 but rose to N6,000. Now, it\u2019s over \u00a6 20,000. The generic amlodipine, like Teva from the UK, was sold for N400 three years ago. Today, generics cost between N1,000 and N1,500 for a one-month supply. Asomex was under N5,000 in the past, then rose to N8,000 for a month\u2019s supply. Everything has tripled. Exchange rates, clearing charges, and the importation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) all contribute to the soaring prices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ones we produce in Nigeria still rely on imported ingredients. Even locally manufactured drugs are affected by the exchange rate. Imported brands directly marketed in Nigeria are hit hardest,\u2019\u2019 Azubike said.<\/p>\n

Currently, a pack of generic Amlodipine 10 mg sells for N3,300, depending on the area. Albitel 80 is N7,500; Lozartan N2,000; Plagerine N5,400; Lisinopril 10 mg N1,400; Nifecard XL 30 mg N9,900; and Amlodipine Nigeria, \u00a6 650 per sachet, among others.<\/p>\n

According to Azubike, many Nigerians self-medicate by walking into pharmacies to buy drugs without prescriptions.
\u201cHypertension treatment isn\u2019t one-size-fits-all. You must consult a doctor. Sometimes, a patient buys amlodipine, but it doesn\u2019t work not because it\u2019s fake, but because it\u2019s the wrong drug for them,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

He explained that before prescription, a doctor might require an ECG or echocardiogram to determine the cause of the hypertension, adding that \u201cit could be cholesterol, valve issues, or clogged arteries. You can\u2019t treat what you haven\u2019t diagnosed.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the federal government recently implemented tariff waivers on pharmaceuticals, experts like Azubike said the policy was yet to reflect in real prices. \u201cThe ingredients used in local drug production are still imported. Until we reduce dependency on imports and fix exchange rates, drug prices will continue to rise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skipping drugs, skipping death<\/h3>\n

For a 52-year-old tailor, Chinedu, he now buys his blood pressure medication \u201conce in two months.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chinedu said: \u201cI can\u2019t keep up. I either buy my drugs or feed my family. Sometimes, I just pray.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

However, experts have warned that skipping medication has deadly consequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoorly treated hypertension leads to stroke, cardiac arrest or heart failure. We\u2019re seeing unprecedented levels of these conditions,\u201d warned Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN. He said this explained the current sudden death crisis in Nigeria where people, even those under 30, are slumping and dying.<\/p>\n

Over 41m adult Nigerians at risk \u2013 Prof Akin Osibogun<\/h3>\n

In his response, the Executive Director of NCD Alliance, Nigeria, Prof Akin Osibogun, warned that hypertension was on the rise, with over 41 million adult Nigerians now living with the problem, a sharp rise from less than 10 per cent in 1990 to nearly 40 per cent today.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2019In 1990, when the National Survey on Non-Communicable Diseases was conducted, the prevalence of hypertension among Nigerians, aged 18-65 years, was below 10 per cent. Today, the prevalence in the same age bracket is 38-40 per cent,\u2019\u2019 Osibogun said.<\/p>\n

The alarming statistic, he added, was a clear sign that Nigeria was sitting on a public health time bomb.
He said hypertension, often called the \u201csilent killer,\u201d was now a leading cause of stroke, heart attacks, and sudden death among adults.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany Nigerians don\u2019t even know they have hypertension until they collapse or die suddenly,\u201d said Osibogun, warning that the condition causes damage to critical organs such as the kidneys, heart and brain.<\/p>\n

He explained that while the normal blood pressure reading is 120\/80 mmHg, a diagnosis of hypertension was made when systolic pressure exceeds 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure exceeds 90 mmHg on two separate occasions.<\/p>\n

He lamented that the rising cost of imported drugs, worsened by unstable exchange rates, is making treatment inaccessible to the poor.<\/p>\n

Hypertension cuts across all socio-economic levels, but the poor are disproportionately affected due to limited access to affordable treatment.<\/p>\n

While the government has promised to lower tariffs on pharmaceuticals, Osibogun emphasised that effective implementation must be monitored closely.<\/p>\n

He disclosed that in a rare show of political will, speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, pledged legislative support to tackle hypertension when he hosted the NCD Alliance team in Abuja and permitted them to address lawmakers during plenary on May 20, in commemoration of World Hypertension Day.<\/p>\n

He said the NCD Alliance, Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, was pushing for stronger policy interventions, including better funding for non-communicable diseases, reduced taxes on essential medications and the deployment of trained health workers to underserved areas.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe must act now because hypertension is not just a health issue, it\u2019s a national emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Untreated or poorly managed HBP fuelling unprecedented rise in strokes, cardiac arrests, others\u2014 Akintayo<\/h3>\n

Similarly, former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, who also raised the alarm over the surging cost of hypertension medication, warned that untreated or poorly managed high blood pressure was fuelling unprecedented rise in stroke, heart attacks, and cardiac arrests across the country.<\/p>\n

Akintayo revealed that while monthly generic hypertension therapy could cost as low as N5,000, branded medications could go as high as N200,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a question of your pockets,\u201d he said, urging Nigerians to opt for quality generics, supported under the national essential drugs list.<\/p>\n

He said the government must provide an enabling framework to ensure essential medicines were affordable, accessible, and safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bottom line is that government must create an enabling environment and framework to ensure the goals of the national drug policy are met,\u2019\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

Criticising what he described as physician-dominated federal ministry of health, Akintayo said President Bola Tinubu\u2019s current strategy for the health sector was flawed and would continue to fail unless the pharmaceutical sector was given a stronger voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresident Tinubu will not succeed in the health sector except he listens and changes tactics. For as long as we keep the pharmaceutical sector in the hands of a rampaging and persecuting ministry, we will keep getting it wrong,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Akintayo called for the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Pharmaceuticals to directly oversee drug policy and access, referencing a now-dormant National Drug Distribution Guidelines, NDDG, and urged legislative backing to ensure its full implementation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need legislative action to drive a sustainable and workable national drug prescription policy,\u201d he said, stressing the importance of regulated distribution to prevent diversion and ensure affordability.<\/p>\n

While commending some state-level successes, such as Kano\u2019s implementation of a Coordinated Wholesale Centre, he lamented the lack of federal synergy and called on the government to prioritise homegrown solutions and local manufacturing, referencing the abandoned Expedited Medicines Access Programme as a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are generics that are good and bioavailable, especially from local manufacturers. What we need is political will and the right leadership to drive pharmaceutical access and health equity for all Nigerians,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Leading killer hiding in plain sight, Prof Augustine Odili warns<\/h3>\n

Responding to the implications of hypertension, the President of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, Professor Augustine Odili, said while many cases of sudden death were linked to heart problems, the most common root cause remained undiagnosed or poorly managed hypertension.<\/p>\n

He explained that cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks and arrhythmias, were often silent killers.
\u201cWell, a greater percentage of those sudden deaths are heart-related. Hypertension is the most common cause of heart disease generally, but there are other culprits such as coronary artery disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Many people die without knowing they were even at risk,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

A professor of cardiovascular medicine revealed that 38 per cent of adult Nigerians live with high blood pressure, lamenting that only 30 per cent of those diagnosed were on treatment, and that fewer than 15 per cent had their blood pressure under control.<\/p>\n

Regional spread of hypertension<\/h3>\n

He said the study showed that the South East records the highest prevalence, while diabetes closely linked to hypertension was more widespread in the South-South.<\/p>\n

In the study published in Global Health Journal, it was found that the overall age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 38.1 per cent and this varied across the geo-political zones as follows: North-Central, 20.9 per cent; North-East, 27.5 per cent; North-West, 26.8 per cent; South-East, 52.8 percent; South-South, 44.6 per cent; and South-West, 42.1 per cent.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cUntreated hypertension and diabetes are major risks for stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and sudden death. Unfortunately, most people don\u2019t know they\u2019re hypertensive because the condition has no symptoms. That\u2019s why we encourage everyone over 40 to check their blood pressure regularly at least once a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/h3>\n

Addressing prevention, Odili stressed the need for lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cExercise more, eat less, stop smoking, reduce alcohol. And if you\u2019re diagnosed, follow through with your medication. We also need government support for indigenous drug production to improve affordability,\u2019\u2019 he added<\/p>\n

To tackle awareness, he said the Nigerian Cardiac Society had launched a programme, \u201cKnow Your Numbers\u201d, aimed at promoting blood pressure checks in public spaces such as markets, banks and airports.<\/p>\n

According to him, community CPR training is also being introduced, so that \u201cif someone slumps suddenly and you know CPR, you might save a life.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Ignorance costing lives, says Pharm Okotie<\/h3>\n

Supporting the call for lifestyle reform and early intervention, Pharm. Jonah Okotie, former secretary of ACPN Lagos, criticised the widespread fear of life-long medication. \u201cIt\u2019s not about whether you\u2019ll take drugs forever, it\u2019s about whether your blood pressure is properly controlled. Ignorance is costing lives,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n

Okotie also decried the economic barriers to hypertension care, noting that medicine costs have skyrocketed due to exchange rates and import dependence.<\/p>\n

He advocated health insurance and sincerity in its implementation, adding that \u201cwe need a working system where everyone contributes a little, so anyone who falls ill can get treated. Health shouldn\u2019t be the one thing Nigerians want for free.\u201d
He recommended health insurance as a major strategy to reduce the financial burden of hypertension on hypertensives.<\/p>\n

Why medicines are expensive\u2014Patrick Ajah, MD, May&Baker<\/h3>\n

In the views of the Managing Director of May & Baker PLC, Mr. Patrick Ajah, the rising cost of medications in Nigeria is a pressing concern, especially for the average citizen.<\/p>\n

Ajah attributed this to a confluence of factors, primarily the heavy reliance on imports for both finished drugs and raw materials.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are imported, and with the current exchange rate challenges, these medicines are bound to appear expensive to the ordinary man.<\/p>\n

Ajah emphasised the burden of lifelong medication for chronic conditions such as hypertension.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor infections, you might take drugs for a week, but for hypertension, it\u2019s daily, for life. That\u2019s why it feels particularly costly,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

He noted further that local drug production, while slightly cheaper than imported finished products, still faced challenges due to imported raw materials, fluctuating forex rates and operational costs.<\/p>\n

Despite government efforts, such as waivers on duties for active pharmaceutical substances, Ajah highlighted that costs remained steep due to power expenses, labour and other operational requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost manufacturers have had to increase prices up to three times in the last year alone. Ideally, these products should cost a third or two-thirds of their current prices,\u201d he lamented.<\/p>\n

Ajah described the grim findings from free screenings conducted during World Hypertension Day, noting that \u201cyou\u2019d find market women with blood pressures of 170\/100 and above, walking around without a clue. Even when advised to seek treatment, many don\u2019t, either due to ignorance or financial constraints.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you stop, you\u2019re going back to the same situation. And this is the reason, I guess, many people today are having a crisis. Sudden deaths are now common. Even younger people are collapsing and dying. When you check it, it\u2019s either they have untreated hypertension or their blood pressure is very high. And many of them didn\u2019t know. So I think it\u2019s very important that people get to know their status.\u201d<\/p>\n

He called for heightened government intervention to make these life-saving drugs affordable and to expand health insurance coverage.<\/p>\n

Local production of drugs<\/h3>\n

Ajah pointed to the high operational expenses stemming from unreliable infrastructure.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWe\u2019re spending three times more on power than we did two years ago. Pharmaceutical production requires 24-hour power for temperature control and stability. The cost is astronomical.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

While noting that the brain drain of skilled professionals was exacerbating the situation, Ajah said: \u201cWe\u2019re struggling to find qualified pharmacists. It can take months to fill a vacancy, and pharmaceuticals are not industries where you can cut corners with unskilled labour.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

On the way forward, he said: \u201cThe hope for Nigeria lies in local drug production. However, without significant improvements in infrastructure, government policies and support for manufacturers, the dream of self-reliance in pharmaceuticals will remain elusive.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Local manufacturing key to reducing cost of hypertension drugs<\/h3>\n

Responding to the growing public outcry over the high cost of hypertension drugs in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, said there were ongoing efforts to promote local manufacturing as a sustainable solution.<\/p>\n

The Deputy Director in charge of Public Relations at NAFDAC, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor, said the agency was committed to reducing reliance on imported medicines, which often inflated costs for consumers.<\/p>\n

She stated: \u201cThe high cost of essential drugs, including those for hypertension, is a pressing concern. NAFDAC has been working tirelessly to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable, high-quality medicines by encouraging local manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Obiazikwor pointed to the agency\u2019s foundational policy introduced in 2019, known as the 5+5 regulatory directive, which gives imported medicines a maximum registration validity of five years, after which products that could be manufactured in Nigeria were no longer approved for importation.<\/p>\n

This measure, she explained, is aimed at creating opportunities for local manufacturers to produce these drugs, thereby reducing the financial burden on patients.<\/p>\n

She said NAFDAC\u2019s efforts were further strengthened in 2023 when the agency achieved WHO Maturity Level 3, a critical milestone that reinforced its regulatory capacity.<\/p>\n

Following this achievement, NAFDAC engaged UNICEF\u2019s supply chain in Copenhagen, Denmark, and hosted a workshop in Lagos to promote the patronage of locally manufactured medical products, including hypertension drugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot forget the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when the disruption in the supply of imported medical products left Nigeria struggling to meet its healthcare needs. This experience underscored the urgent need to build local manufacturing capacity to ensure both affordability and availability of critical medicines,\u2019\u2019 Obiazikwor said.
According to her, NAFDAC has taken a hands-on approach to support local manufacturers in improving their production processes and ensuring compliance with international standards.<\/p>\n

The agency conducts regular inspections to assess good manufacturing practices and provides technical support to manufacturers to address gaps in their operations. Additionally, NAFDAC facilitates regular engagements with industry stakeholders to foster compliance and share best practices.<\/p>\n

Obiazikwor emphasised that the agency\u2019s support had yielded positive results, with local manufacturers now attaining international certifications such as ISO 13485.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese achievements are not just about improving quality; they are also about driving down costs. Locally produced hypertension drugs eliminate the expenses associated with importation, such as tariffs and international shipping, making them more affordable for Nigerians,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Reacting to reports that many Nigerians were unable to afford life-saving hypertension drugs, Obiazikwor assured the public that NAFDAC was actively addressing the issue. \u201cThe high cost of hypertension drugs is unacceptable, and NAFDAC is committed to ensuring that these essential medicines are within reach of all Nigerians,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Responding to the alarming prevalence of hypertension among adults in Nigeria, Head of Cardiovascular Disease & Tobacco Control at the Non-Communicable Diseases, NCD, Control Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Malau Toma, said the ministry had unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the growing health crisis.<\/p>\n

Disclosing that the burden of hypertension in adults remained 38 per cent in adults, he underscored the critical need for action, describing hypertension as a \u201csilent killer\u201d that can lead to fatal complications like stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure if undetected and untreated.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people are diagnosed incidentally due to the absence of symptoms in the early stages.
This makes regular health checkups and adherence to prescribed management vital in preventing severe outcomes,\u2019\u2019 Toma explained.<\/p>\n

To combat hypertension, the ministry has developed and is implementing several key initiatives.
\u201cWe have put in place a National Policy and Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, as well as a National Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Hypertension in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2019Public awareness campaigns, regular screenings, and adherence to the guidelines are core components of these efforts,\u2019\u2019 Toma stated.<\/p>\n

He said the ministry has also focused on strengthening healthcare facilities and personnel, adding \u201cwe are equipping primary healthcare centers with essential tools and medications to manage uncomplicated hypertension and upgrading federal tertiary hospitals with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic resources for complex cases.\u2019\u2019
Training programmes for healthcare workers at all levels have been rolled out to ensure they are well-prepared to handle hypertension effectively.<\/p>\n

Financial barriers to care are also being addressed<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe are expanding universal health coverage through federal and state health insurance schemes, implementing the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund at the primary healthcare level, and considering policies to subsidize or provide free anti-hypertensive medications for patients in need,\u201d Toma revealed.<\/p>\n

Toma emphasised the importance of collaboration in these efforts, adding that \u201cwe are working with government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as international partners, to ensure a coordinated and effective response.\u201d
He also urged Nigerians to take proactive steps in protecting their health.<\/p>\n

\u201cHypertension can often be managed effectively with early detection, medical care, and a healthy lifestyle. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources and programs available, and to prioritize regular medical checkups,\u2019\u2019 Toma said.<\/p>\n

The post Silent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths<\/a> appeared first on Vanguard News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

, <\/p>\n

Hypertension, often referred to as the \u201csilent killer,\u201d continues to reshape the lives of millions of Nigerians quietly<\/p>\n

The post Silent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths<\/a> appeared first on Vanguard News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

, , Idowu Bankole, {authorlink},, , Vanguard News, August 4, 2025, 2:38 am<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Silent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths, \u2022Over 41m Nigerians at risk as hypertension cases surge \u2022Patients forced into deadly \u2018drug holiday\u2019 as treatment becomes unaffordable \u2022Experts warn of national emergency as sudden deaths spike nationwide \u2022We\u2019re addressing problem \u2013 FG By Chioma Obinna Hypertension, often referred to as the \u201csilent killer,\u201d continues […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.vanguardngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/image-35.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[879,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nSilent killer: Soaring drug costs, ignorance fueling hypertension deaths - 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