NAFDAC Shuts Down Clinic In Nasarawa

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed a maternity clinic in Keffi, Nassarawa  for allegedly dispensing unregistered and fake Chinese medicines.

At a news conference in Lagos on Thursday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, said that three suspects who claimed to be Cameroonians were also arrested over the alleged crime.

Orhii said that the clinic, known as “God’s Will Maternity Clinic’’ defrauded 2,670 patients by collecting N500 from each of them for registration between March and June 6, 2010.

“The clinic distributed leaflets with fake NAFDAC registration number as well as advertised cure for various diseases,’’ he said.

Orhii said that the arrest was made following a complaint by a consumer.

He said that the owner of the maternity, simply identified as Dr Arsen and suspected to be a Cameroonian was at large.

“Four large bags (Ghana must go) containing assorted unregistered and fake medicines, most of which are labelled in the Chinese Language, were recovered. 

“A massage suit and desktop computer unit purported to be a therapy machine used by the suspects to defraud their patients, were retrieved.

“Large quantities of leaflets with fake NAFDAC registration number (454963) advertising cure for various diseases were also recovered.

“NAFDAC is hereby declaring Dr Arsen wanted. Anyone with useful information of his whereabouts should report to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“I wish to alert the general public of such practices and to advise Nigerians to be watchful of where they go for treatment and where they buy their medicines from,“ he said.

The director-general said that NAFDAC rewarded the person, who reported the activities of the maternity, with N50, 000.