NAFDAC destroys N400million substandard products in Nasarawa
Following the unrelenting fight against illicit and substandard drugs in the country, Nasarawa State Office of the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard, falsified and expired drugs and other related products estimated at over N400m in Nasarawa state.
Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye who disclosed this while carrying out the destruction of the illicit and counterfeit consumables in Lafia last week, said the products destroyed comprises substandard and falsified medical products.
According to Adeyeye, represented by Mr Abubakar Jimoh, Director of Special Duties in NAFDAC, he said the unwholesome processed food products, cosmetics and other counterfeit unsafe products satisfied by NAFDAC were seized by the agency from the importers and distributors in the North Central zone of the country also destroyed were expired drugs voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), trade unions, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and National Association of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED).
According to the NAFDAC DG, the estimated value of the products destroyed is N400 million comprising drugs such as antibiotics, antihypertensive, antimalarial, herbal remedies, psychoactive and controlled substances.
Others include foods such as spaghetti, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, sachet water etc. Cosmetics products include creams, pomade etc. while chemicals include fake insecticides.
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“The present management of NAFDAC has taken proactive approach towards tackling this challenge. The engagement of political, traditional and religious leaders in sensitizing their members, subjects and congregation respectively on the dangers of drug and substance abuse particularly in Northern geopolitical zones of the country is yielding tremendous results.
“The destruction of these items today is a testimony of our resolve to safeguard the health of out nation. I can assure you that NAFDAC is doing everything to ensure that right quality medicines and wholesome foods are sold to Nigerians,” she said.
In his remarks while witnessing the destruction of the drugs, Governor Tanko Al-Makura represented by Hajiya Halima Jibrin, Nasarawa state Commissioner of Lands and Physical Planning commended NAFDAC for the effort put in by the agency to rid the country of fake products.
“I commend NAFDAC for the good work done in the state and urge the agency to intensity efforts in mopping out fake, expired drugs and foods,”Al-Makura said.
Al-Makura gave assurance that his administration would do everything possible to enhance the operation of the agency in the state because the activities of the agency have to do with the lives of residents of the state.
In her address, Mrs Abayomi Bolaji, NAFDAC North Central Zonal Director said the N400 million worth of drugs destroyed were mopped up from the six states in the north central zone.
“I appreciate the Nasarawa state government for giving us the opportunity to hold the exercise in the state. I want to assure everyone that NAFDAC is committed to ensuring that only safe, quality and standard drugs, food and wholesome products are produced and distributed in our society,” she said.
