Awareness of Counterfeit Medicines and Related Health Risks Among Community Members in Bauchi, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

Counterfeit and substandard medicines pose a severe threat to public health in Nigeria, contributing to treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, and preventable deaths. Community awareness of the risks associated with counterfeit medicines is a foundational step toward demand-side reduction of counterfeit product consumption. This study assessed the level of awareness of counterfeit medicines and their health risks among community members in Bauchi, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, with 300 adults selected through multistage random sampling from four wards in Bauchi metropolis. The questionnaire assessed awareness of the concept of counterfeit medicines, ability to identify markers of suspicious products, purchasing behaviors, and sources of medicine procurement. Findings showed that 64 percent of respondents had heard the term counterfeit medicine, but only 28 percent could correctly describe distinguishing characteristics. Nearly 40 percent reported purchasing medicines from roadside vendors and markets, settings highly associated with counterfeit product distribution. Knowledge that counterfeit medicines could cause death or permanent harm was present in only 35 percent of respondents. Educational level and urban residence were significant predictors of awareness. The study recommends that NAFDAC and pharmacy professional bodies intensify community sensitization campaigns in Bauchi, with messaging tailored to low-literacy populations and delivered in Hausa. Keywords: counterfeit medicines, public awareness, Bauchi State, pharmaceutical safety, NAFDAC