NAFDAC Destroys Fake Drugs Worth N3m in Bayelsa

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has so far destroyed substandard products valued at over N3.1 million in Bayelsa State.
A break down of the destroyed products shows that in 2008, fake and substandard products worth N1.75m were destroyed while between January and August; fake products mopped from various distributing outlets in the state worth over N1.372 millions also suffered the same fate.
NAFDAC Director-General Paul Orhi disclosed this during the joint sensitisation campaign on dangers of fake drugs and substandard products organised in Yenegoa by the Bayelsa State, Miss Valentine Queen Allison in partnership with the officials of the agency.
Orhi who was represented by Lilian Duru noted that Nigeria was one of the worst affected countries until the agency came on board some years ago.
He said that it was important that drugs should not only be of good quality but affordable as there has been several reports of death resulting from counterfeit and substandard drugs.
According to him, among the drugs were toothpastes, with little or no fluoride or insufficient iodized salt and processed beverages and foods.
He disclosed that some of the products are deceitfully labeled, some have their expiring dates altered while others have fake NAFDAC numbers, and advised the public to watch out as even some of the soft drinks being sold in Nigeria are of different quality from those sold elsewhere.