In Nigeria, where cancer outcomes are often dictated not just by diagnosis but by geography and income, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. At the heart of that shift is Kolade Adeyemo, a pharmacist, public health advocate, and pharmaceutical strategist, whose work is redefining how life-saving medicines reach underserved communities.
Adeyemo’s most striking intervention to date: leading the nationwide launch of Microlax as a supportive care treatment for oncology patients. In a country where the availability of supportive therapies is patchy at best, and where patients in non-urban centers are often forced to endure treatment without relief, the Microlax rollout marks a significant milestone in equitable access to essential medicines.
Small medicine, huge impact
Constipation is a well-documented side effect of chemotherapy, but one that often goes unaddressed in public oncology settings in Nigeria. Without accessible, effective relief, patients suffer needlessly—often leading to interrupted treatment cycles and avoidable complications. Adeyemo recognised the gap and led a strategic rollout that embedded Microlax directly into cancer care pathways. Working closely with oncologists, pharmacists, hospital administrators, and procurement teams, he ensured the product was available not only in private hospitals but also in secondary and tertiary oncology centers across peri-urban and underserved regions.
The impact was swift. Hospitals participating in the initiative reported better chemotherapy adherence, fewer gastrointestinal complications, and improved patient experience. For many cancer patients, it was the first time a basic symptom of their treatment was managed with dignity.
Access by design
Unlike traditional product launches that favor high-margin, urban-focused strategies, Adeyemo’s
approach was unapologetically inclusive. He prioritised wide distribution, affordability, and clinical training—factors too often ignored in pharmaceutical planning for low-resource settings. He worked with healthcare providers to facilitate product registration, secure formulary placement, and ensure consistent supply. He also led educational campaigns and CME sessions to support prescriber confidence and awareness—helping embed Microlax into standard oncology practice, not as an afterthought, but as essential care.
The result? Nearly 50 per cent increase in supportive care availability across targeted treatment centers in under 12 months. That’s not just a metric—it’s a reflection of system-wide change initiated through one intervention, carefully designed for the realities of the Nigerian healthcare system.
A broader commitment to equity
Adeyemo’s influence goes beyond a single product. His work is grounded in the belief that access is not a logistics problem—it is a design challenge. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of public health, pharmaceutical strategy, and digital innovation to close the access gap for chronic diseases and critical therapies.
From leveraging CRM-driven strategies to reach healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 lockdown, to driving market access approaches that protect patients from the impact of inflation and regulatory shifts, Adeyemo has consistently prioritised patient-centric models that scale.
He has emerged as a voice in health equity strategy—one who understands that meaningful pharmaceutical innovation must include the path to the patient, not just the science behind the product.
Charting new path for Nigeria’s health system
The Microlax oncology rollout stands as a blueprint for how essential medicines can be delivered more intentionally. It also demonstrates what becomes possible when healthcare professionals combine systems thinking, advocacy, and execution.
Adeyemo’s work challenges the status quo of medicine distribution in Nigeria—and in doing so, it points toward a more equitable and functional healthcare future.
As Nigeria faces mounting health burdens—non-communicable diseases, access disparities, and strained infrastructure—solutions like these are not merely helpful; they are essential.
