The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has disclosed that there have been cases of substandard and falsified medicines currently in circulation in Nigeria, which has posed a threat to the health of the citizens.
The warning was issued on Friday by Bala Mshelia, the Director of NAFDAC’s North West Zone, at a community sensitisation workshop in Kaduna. He noted that the agency was trying its best to ensure that all the issues of fake and substandard medicines in the country were addressed.
While speaking, the zonal director identified the medicines being treated as Fansidar 25/500mg and Combiart 20/120mg (antimalarials), OHEAL Ampicillin, and Cloxacillin Capsules (antibiotics); he also noted that medication which treats hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases were being targeted.
The director explained that fighting against the spread of substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation; he noted that it requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public.
He charged every individual in the society to join forces with the government to help cut down on the influx of fake drugs spread in the country. According to him, the effort to cut down the influx of drug use is collaborative for maximum impact. He noted that if there is a combined effort, the country can be sure that every drug seen in the country is safe for consumption.
In his reaction, Sunday Ukoh, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, noted that the society would lend its support to the government to ensure everyone is safe from and use of drugs in the country.
The Vice Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists, Abosede Garba, also noted that as a frontline organization in the provision of healthcare, pharmacists bear a crucial responsibility in combating this challenge. He noted that they must be vigilant, proactive, and steadfast in promoting safe medication.
