NAFDAC URGES S/EAST ELITES TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST FAKE, SUBSTANDARD DRUGS
REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has appealed to South-East elites and residents to actively join fight against fake, substandard drugs, food and cosmetics products in the zone.
The Director of NAFDAC South-East Zone, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, made the appeal in Enugu during a news briefing.
Mr. Iluyomade noted that NAFDAC and its partners worked so hard in the past one year leading to reduction in access to nationally banned drugs used by those that engage in violence and criminality to boost thier negative actions.
According to Mr. Iluyomade, NAFDAC can achieve more in terms of safe-guarding the health of the zone and the nation, if everyone, especially educated and professional elites, get actively involved in the business of stemming the tide of injurious products.
He said that the agency had carried out massive sensitisation among those that deal in NAFDAC regulated products; while it strengthened collaboration with different market unions and associations in-charge of traders and manufacturers of the agency’s regulated products.
“Within this period, we have carried out extensive and result-yielding raids in various markets and supermarkets, especially in Onitsha, where we have hub of traders and dealers of our Agency’s regulated products in the zone.
“We fought resurgence of some nationally banned 200 milligram of intoxicating drugs such as tramadol and codeine among other drugs abused due to their super-active nature.
“The Agency was able to seize about 2,719 bottles if such drugs in Onitsha raids alone; while mopping up and confiscating expired and unregistered products from the system,” he said.
The NAFDAC Zonal Director noted that the agency was not against business or individuals going into business ventures.
“Drug, food, cosmetics and chemical product business must be done genuinely and by following prescribed guidelines and procedure of NAFDAC to ensure a win-win situation for both the businessman and Nigerians that consume the products,” he said.
The director commended the media, various associations and security agencies in the zone for their support in the past one year as well as NAFDAC staff in the zone for working hard and achieving successes.
He said, “I must thank the Police Commissioner in Anambra State and the Commander 302 Artillery Brigade, Onitsha for their support so far and assisting us in various ways possible.
“I must commend our staff in Onitsha who were recently attacked while carrying out thier legitimate duty.
“As a lead Agency, given the mandate to regulate drugs, food, cosmetics and chemical products, we seek collaboration of all and every government agencies and bodies within national and sub-national levels.
“For Ocha Brigade in Anambra; they should operate within their limits. If they suspect anybody dealing in fake or sub-standard products, they should do well to report to NAFDAC and we will carry out laboratory analysis and investigation on it following the Agency’s guidelines and procedures.”
The director also appealed to striking junior workers of the Agency to call off their strike in the interest of national security.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
