By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi
A renowned scholar with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Prof. Abdulkadir Umar Zezi, has warned that over-the-counter medicines can heal or harm depending on how they are used.
Speaking while delivering his inaugural lecture on the theme _“Risks and Benefits of Over-the-Counter Medicines”_ on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, ABU Samaru Campus, he revealed that OTC drugs are medicines obtainable without prescription, but their classification differs across countries based on regulatory and legal provisions and the organization of healthcare systems.
The Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics said in developed countries OTC drugs are sold mainly in pharmacies with professional advice from pharmacists, unlike many less-developed countries where they are sold in ordinary shops without guidance. He noted this poses serious risks where many users are illiterate and cannot interpret information on package inserts.
Prof. Zezi also said his research showed that combining paracetamol with diclofenac increases paracetamol’s bioavailability while reducing its clearance, with clinical implications for users. He added that extracts of _Rothmannia longiflora, Dalbergia saxatilis, Olax subscorpioidea,_ and _Eriosema psoraleoides_ demonstrated low toxicity and effectiveness for pain and inflammation, supporting their traditional use.
He urged the public to avoid mixing painkillers, use them only when necessary, understand their benefits and risks, take appropriate doses, and seek professional advice when needed. He cautioned that even herbal painkillers can cause toxicity if misused.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by DVC Administration Prof. Bello Sabo, congratulated Prof. Zezi and announced that ABU will now hold inaugural lectures twice monthly. DVC Advancement, Research & Innovation, Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, described the lecture as a public presentation of a lifetime of intellectual inquiry and service. Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Mohammed Magaji, in his vote of thanks, called Prof. Zezi a humble and erudite scholar who inspires postgraduate students.
The event ended with the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the Inaugural Lecturer