“Healthcare is Not Witchcraft” Nigerian Pharmacist Slams Hospitals for Withholding Drug Information From Patients [VIDEO]

 

A Nigerian pharmacist has triggered a national conversation after boldly criticizing a widespread but under-discussed practice in hospitals across the country: the concealment of drug identities from patients.

In a passionate video shared on TikTok, the health professional questioned why some private hospitals routinely strip medications of their original packaging and distribute them in unmarked envelopes, without any labeling or drug information provided. The video, which has since gone viral, captures her expressing deep concern over the lack of transparency in the nation’s healthcare system.

According to the pharmacist, the practice not only robs patients of their basic rights but also endangers their health. She highlighted that patients are often handed pills in small envelopes, sometimes with nothing more than instructions like “take one in the morning” or “after food.” No names. No dosage specifics. No hint of what the drug even is.

"Is it a crime for patients to know what they are swallowing?" she asked with urgency. "Hospitals that remove drugs from their original packaging and give them to patients without any identification—what exactly are they hiding?"

Her message sharply criticized what she described as “medical gatekeeping,” calling it a dangerous culture of secrecy that contradicts the very essence of science and patient care. She didn’t mince words as she emphasized the potential harm this practice could cause.

The pharmacist pointed out several critical implications. First, the act denies patients the right to informed healthcare. Patients have a fundamental right to know the name of any medication prescribed to them, what it is used for, possible side effects, and what interactions it may have with other drugs or health conditions.

Secondly, the practice discourages personal education. By hiding drug names, healthcare providers deny people the chance to learn about their treatment and be actively involved in their own recovery. “How will a patient learn what to avoid next time if they have a bad reaction?” she asked.

She further stressed that this secrecy creates room for serious medical errors. Without knowledge of what drugs they’re taking, patients are left vulnerable to accidental overdose, misuse, or dangerous combinations with other medicines. This can also lead to unnecessary dependency, especially when the medication includes controlled substances like painkillers or sedatives.

Beyond the clinical risks, the pharmacist underscored a broader cultural issue. The secrecy reinforces a paternalistic model of healthcare, where patients are seen as passive recipients rather than empowered participants. “Healthcare is not witchcraft. It is science, and science is about transparency,” she asserted, visibly frustrated by what she views as outdated and unethical practices.

The video has sparked intense debates online, especially among Nigerians who have experienced similar situations. Many took to social media to share their frustrations, recalling times when they were handed medications in unmarked paper wraps or envelopes, left completely in the dark about what they were consuming.

Some blamed the practice on a profit-driven system where certain hospitals deliberately hide the drug names to prevent patients from sourcing cheaper alternatives elsewhere. Others pointed fingers at laziness, negligence, or sheer disregard for patient rights.

Medical professionals have also joined the conversation. A few have defended the practice, citing logistics and packaging standards as possible reasons. However, a growing number are siding with the pharmacist’s perspective, acknowledging that the lack of transparency is indefensible in a modern healthcare system.

Patient advocacy groups have echoed similar concerns for years. They argue that informed consent doesn’t stop at diagnosis or treatment plans but extends to every pill a person swallows. The Nigerian pharmacist’s video, by plainly voicing what many have whispered for years, has reignited a call for systemic reform.

Health authorities are yet to issue an official response. However, the pressure is building. The outcry is a strong reminder that, at its core, healthcare should center around dignity, respect, and trust.

As the conversation grows, one message remains clear from the pharmacist’s heartfelt rant: Nigerians deserve to know what medicine they’re taking, why they’re taking it, and what risks are involved. Anything less is not care, but control.

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