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Ayomide Awe
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ondo State chapter, has raised the alarm over the alleged proliferation of fake alcoholic beverages, warning that youths are developing serious liver and kidney conditions amid concerns over potentially dangerous drinks circulating in the stateAnd.
The association said the emergence of conditions such as liver cirrhosis among teenagers and 20-year-olds is particularly concerning, as diseases are typically not expected to appear at such young ages.
The Chairman of the NMA in Ondo State, Dr Roland Arohunmolase, raised the concern while speaking to journalists in Akure on Monday, adding that further investigations were needed to establish the causes of individual cases.
While the association did not provide statistics on cases recorded in recent months, it said some incidents were still under investigation.
“Traditionally, when certain diseases profile, there are certain age groups in which you commonly don’t find them. When a disease no longer conforms to its traditional profile, it becomes a cause for concern,” Arohunmolase said.
He identified the consumption of unhealthy alcoholic beverages as a possible risk factor for liver cirrhosis among young people, stressing that the precise causes of the reported disorders will need to be established through further medical investigations.
PLATFORM TIMES reported that the association also recalled previous incidents involving suspected adulterated drinks in Odigbo and Irele, which Arohunmolase said resulted in at least 48 deaths.
He also cited a previous incident in Ilere involving methanol, an industrial chemical capable of causing serious poisoning if ingested.
The NMA has warned that counterfeit drinks could expose consumers to dangerous substances, including chemicals that can cause acute poisoning and long-term damage to vital organs.
It also expressed concern that the distribution of alleged counterfeit drinks was not limited to informal markets, claiming that such products had ended up in supermarkets, hotels, bars and other retail outlets.
According to the association, some adulterated drinks can be produced in unsanitary conditions, with industrial chemicals and contaminated water potentially posing further health risks.
The warning comes at a time of growing concerns about consumer safety and the need for stronger monitoring of products sold to the public.
The association has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and relevant authorities in Ondo State to intensify surveillance and conduct unannounced inspections of markets, supermarkets, hotels, bars and shops suspected of selling counterfeit drinks.
He urged authorities to seize and destroy products that do not meet established safety and quality standards and to prosecute manufacturers, distributors and retailers found guilty.
The NMA also called on beverage manufacturers to strengthen anti-counterfeiting measures by introducing tamper-evident seals, holographic security features, unique QR codes and product tracking systems that would allow consumers to verify the authenticity of their purchases.
The association advises consumers to be wary of drinks sold at prices significantly lower than those prevailing on the market and to carefully inspect the seals, labels and packaging of the bottles before purchasing them.
Arohunmolase said the association intends to involve relevant government agencies, but believes it is necessary to immediately alert the public due to the potential danger to human health.
“As medical professionals who are supposed to be the guardians of public health, we needed to bring this fact to the notice of the public before writing to the relevant authorities,” he said.
The association advises anyone who suspects they have consumed a fake or contaminated drink to seek medical attention immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Arohunmolase emphasized that early medical evaluation is important when exposure to a potentially hazardous substance is suspected.
“Whenever you consume something that you suspect is not good for you, it may not be advisable to wait until symptoms start to appear. You should consult a doctor in time,” he said.
The NMA’s warning highlights the need for effective regulatory enforcement, public awareness and cooperation between health authorities, law enforcement, manufacturers and retailers to prevent the circulation of unsafe drinks.
However, the association’s concerns about reported liver and kidney disease do not alone prove that counterfeit drinks were the cause of all cases. Further investigations are needed to determine the causes of the illnesses and verify the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
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