Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry: An Evaluation of Social and Environmental Accountability

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Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry: An Evaluation of Social and Environmental Accountability

ABSTRACT: – Despite the positive health and economic impacts of the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry its activities are associated with lots of social and environmental negative impacts. Increased medication costs to patients and the health system and patients loss of confidence in the industry sequel to falsified and substandard drugs are some of the social problems of the industry. Contamination of freshwater, surface water, sewage effluents, groundwater, drinking water, manure, soil, and other environmental matrices are some of the environmental problems of the industry. Similarly, residues of pharmaceutical products are important sources of Anti Microbial Resistance which constitute high risk to human lives and the ecosystems. Consequently, there are growing demands for the industry to take swifter actions to address these effects by being more transparent on its dealings with the society and environment. The aim of this paper is to descriptively evaluate the performance of the industry on its social and environmental accountability 2009 to 2018. Data for the study was obtained from online Annual reports and accounts of sampled companies using modified word count content analysis of social and environmental disclosures. Collected data are analysed and presented by means of descriptive statistics while stakeholder theory is employed to underpin the study. Results indicated low level of social accountability devoted to issues of interest to primary stakeholders in the industry and absence of environmental accountability. Obtained results are better explained by stakeholder theory and perhaps suggesting possible continued endangering of human lives and the environment which policy makers must overcome.

KEY WORDS: – Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry, Waste, Contamination, Anti Microbial Resistance, Stakeholder Theory

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