Kristin Peterson, “Speculative Markets: Drug Circuits and Derivative Life in Nigeria” (Duke UP, 2015)

Kristin Peterson, “Speculative Markets: Drug Circuits and Derivative Life in Nigeria” (Duke UP, 2015)

Have you ever wondered how the pharmaceutical trade shapes economies and lives in places far from the Western world? Kristin Peterson's book, 'Speculative Markets: Drug Circuits and Derivative Life in Nigeria', takes you deep into the heart of Nigeria's pharmaceutical market. This episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery' offers a riveting discussion on how the drug trade links West Africa to the global economy.

Host Marshall Poe dives into Peterson's ethnographic study, focusing on the Idumota market—a once residential area now transformed into a bustling hub for pharmaceuticals. Peterson sheds light on how historical events like the 1960s civil war and the 1970s oil boom influenced this transformation. She explains how Nigeria's economic crisis in the 1980s led to a speculative marketplace that reshaped the pharmaceutical industry, with wide-reaching consequences.

From structural adjustments to court battles between local traders and regulatory bodies, this episode is packed with eye-opening revelations. Whether you're interested in global health, economic history, or the intricate workings of drug markets, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into a world seldom discussed. It's an essential listen for anyone looking to understand the broader implications of the pharmaceutical trade on global health and local economies.