Seized fake and adulterated drugs
By Chinedum Treasure
Leadership of Ogbo-ogwu market, bridge head Onitsha, Anambra state on Wednesday handed over fake drugs worth over N265millon to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Chairman, Mr Chukwuleta Ndubuisi who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen listed the confiscated drugs to include unwholesome, expired, banned and substandard products.
He said some of the goods were seized last year while others were confiscated after NAFDAC’s invasion of the market.
He vowed that the exercise, which is periodic would not stop until all forms of unwholesome drugs were eradicated in the market.
He said, “We’re here to hand over these seized products to NAFDAC. They include unholesome, expired, banned, fake and substandard products.
“Before you are approximately N265million worth of goods. Some of the goods were seized last year while others were after NAFDAC invasion.
“We carry out this activity periodically. This is not the first time. Even before I assumed office. It started right from the time of late Dora Akunyili era.
“We can’t afford to allow people sell products that will kill our people which is in line with NAFDAC policies. We place our taskforce at strategic points to monitor counterfeit drug dealers.”
Acknowledging reduction of counterfeit drug peddling in the market, the chairman said majority of the seized drugs were being smuggled in from outside the market.
“As federal government agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating food and drugs, NAFDAC is doing their best. But there is need for stiffer measures to address this menace.
“Those behind the fake drugs have been threatening my life and fighting my executive, all efforts to remove us so they can have their way.
“They have repeatedly gone to the media labeling us all sorts of names. But that won’t lead me to compromise my work. I can’t stop until government said my tenure is up.
“I advise fake drugs peddlers to desist and engage in genuine business. I’ve never seen anyone doing legitimate business that retrogresses.
“On the contrary, it’s those into fake drugs that fezzle out easily, thereby cutting their destiny short. Crime doesn’t pay and there’s no short cut in life. If you start small, you’ll make it.
“Moreover, you might not know who will take the fake drugs you’re dealing in. It may be your relations,” he added.
Reacting, State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Pharm. Louis Madubuattah, said over 400 cartons of different kinds of pharmaceutical products mostly expired and unregistered products were received by the agency.
He said the products would be housed in the agency’s warehouse pending time for destruction.
He said: “This is normal practice. When
pharmaceutical companies have their products expired, the law requires they hand them over to NAFDAC for destruction.
“On our own, we’ve been sensitizing the people on the need to ensure expired products are not revalidated and pushed into the system.
“We’re glad the market leadership has mechanism to mop up unwholesome products. It’s an improvement they’re handing over these products themselves.”
