Business

Healthcare Expert Warns Nigerians Against Hidden Dangers of Food-Drug Interactions

Published

5 months ago

April 11, 2026

Preport

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Healthcare expert and licensed pharmacist, Dr. Remi Olukoya, has warned Nigerians about the often-overlooked dangers of food-drug interactions, cautioning that commonly consumed foods and traditional staples may interfere with prescribed medications and compromise treatment outcomes.

Speaking during a health session, she stressed the need for greater public awareness, noting that many patients are unaware that their daily diet can affect how medicines are absorbed, metabolized, or how effectively they work in the body.

Dr. Remi Olukoya, who also is the founder of PharmaPlan Systems revealed that 50% of patients cannot identify a single food-drug interaction affecting their own prescriptions.

She emphasized the need for greater public awareness about how everyday foods can influence the effectiveness and safety of medications, cautioning that neglecting this link could compromise treatment outcomes.

The renowned healthcare expert highlighted the often-overlooked connection between diet and medication performance, with a particular focus on African and diaspora communities. While stressing the importance of adhering to prescribed treatments, she pointed out that dietary habits play a crucial role in drug efficacy.

She underscored the fact that culturally specific diets and traditional foods should not be overlooked when prescribing or taking medications, as they can affect how drugs are absorbed or metabolized in the body.

Drawing from her book, Pharma Plan Systems, which she described as an accessible guide to food-drug interactions free of complex medical jargon, she gave examples of commonly consumed foods that can interfere with medications.

She mentioned grapefruit’s impact on some cholesterol-lowering drugs, and pointed out that bitter leaf, a popular item consumed in many African households, has the potential to affect blood sugar levels and interact with diabetes treatments.

To address these issues, Dr. Olukoya said she has introduced the Medi Meal Safe app, a digital tool designed to guide users on safe food choices while on medication, offering customized meal plans for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

The app also alerts users to foods they should avoid or consume cautiously based on their prescriptions.

“The goal is to prevent adverse reactions and improve treatment outcomes by helping people make informed dietary choices,” Dr. Olukoya explained during the session.

During the session, participants expressed concerns about food sensitivities and the complexities surrounding traditional diets—particularly the dual effects of bitter leaf on nutrition and blood sugar regulation. In response, Dr. Olukoya advised that people should carefully consider their health conditions and medications before regularly consuming such foods.

She concluded by stressing that understanding the interaction between nutrition and medication is essential for safer and more effective healthcare, urging both patients and healthcare providers to pay closer attention to dietary habits alongside prescribed treatments.

The post Healthcare Expert Warns Nigerians Against Hidden Dangers of Food-Drug Interactions appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

FG Continues NEMSAS Rollout, Strengthens Emergency Care and Hospital Infrastructure in Bauchi

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Preport

The Federal Government has continued the nationwide rollout of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) with the deployment of new ambulances to selected health facilities in Bauchi State, alongside the unveiling of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facility at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).

The interventions, unveiled by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, are part of the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), particularly Pillar 4, which focuses on improving the health security of the nation.

The NEMSAS ambulances will strengthen emergency referrals across selected facilities, including Toro General Hospital, Gamawa Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Misau, ATBUTH and the Fistula Centre in Ningi. The Bauchi deployment builds on the Federal Government’s continuing rollout of NEMSAS across the country, following recent deployments in Plateau and Ogun States.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Pate said timely access to emergency care is essential to saving lives, particularly in communities where distance and inadequate referral capacity can delay life-saving care. He urged beneficiary institutions to ensure the ambulances are properly utilised, maintained and integrated into referral pathways.

The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s broader investments in Bauchi’s health system, including the ongoing expansion of ATBUTH, the Federal Medical Centre in Misau, the North-East Vesicovaginal Fistula Centre in Ningi and the revitalisation of more than 100 primary healthcare centres through federal-state collaboration. Earlier in 2026, the Federal Government deployed approximately ₦10 billion worth of medical equipment, medicines, ambulances and maternity kits to health facilities across the state.

At ATBUTH, the newly unveiled CNG facility, aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy use within the hospital, forms part of efforts to strengthen the infrastructure that supports hospital operations. The ongoing expansion of the teaching hospital is expected to increase capacity for tertiary and specialised services. The Federal Government is also investing in advanced diagnostics and cancer care to bring specialised services closer to citizens and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for essential care.

Prof. Pate said the investments demonstrate the administration’s focus on translating policy commitments into practical improvements in the health system. He added that the Federal Government would continue to work with the Bauchi State Government, health institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that investments in emergency care, infrastructure and specialised services translate into improved access and better health outcomes for the people of Bauchi State.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to its mandate to save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians.

The post FG Continues NEMSAS Rollout, Strengthens Emergency Care and Hospital Infrastructure in Bauchi appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

Nascon, Coronation, Jaiz Bank top stock pick this week

Published

13 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Preport

Nigerian stocks advanced by 2.9 per cent last week, lifted by bank and oil & gas equities. All the sector indexes appreciated during the week.

The main equity index has yielded 60.5 per cent so far this year.

“Recent broad-based declines have, however, brought several frontline and mid-cap stocks to more attractive entry levels. This could encourage some bargain-hunting during the week,” analysts at Meristem Securities said in a note ahead of the week.

PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment.

The pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions, with the expectation that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time.

This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions.

Nascon

Nascon tops this week’s list for its strong fundamentals. The net profit ratio (NPR) of the salt maker is 9.3, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 11.5x. Its 14-day relative strength index (RSI) is 6.9.

Coronation Insurance

Coronation appears on the pick on the basis of its attractive fundamentals. The NPR of the insurer is 22.7, while the PE ratio is 5.2x. The 14-day RSI is 55.4.