By Matthew Denis
In a move to sanitize the society against porous counterfeit drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to patent medicine dealers and others against selling illicit drugs.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye made the disclosure during a one day sensitization and awareness campaign on substandard and falsified medical products held in Abuja
The DG who was represented by the Director of Post Marketing Surveillance, Mr. Fraden Bitrus emphasizes that drugs sold in open markets are not only fake but also poisonous and hazardous to human health in the society.
He said ” When you are rendering services to patients ensure that you render qualitative service and genuine products.
” Don’t engage in sharp practices and be driven by money but the welfare of the people should be the driving force.
Contribute your quota in sanitizing the community against abuse of drugs.
The DG tasked them not to indulge into any medicine that will implicate them because the laws are there.
” The focus of this meeting is how to avoid substandard and falsified medical products. Source your medical and drugs from the right sources and ensure that your suppliers meets the standard. With positive thinking we’ll serve Nigerians products that are better by scrutinizing everything before putting them in our selves for sale.
In his Goodwill message, the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Odoh Theophilus Okwudili has praised the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for effective regulation and monitoring of pharmaceutical products.
He summoned that the sensitization programme will ensure the safety and quality of medicines by reducing counterfeit medicine in circulation and improved access to genuine products.
The Chairman called for collaboration with stakeholders to combat counterfeit products noting that providing guidance and support for patent medicine dealers should be prioritized.
Highlights of the workshop was participatants cutting across various communities within and suburbs of FCT like Karu, jikwonyi, Apo, Zuba, Wuye, Airport roads among others.