NAFDAC To Partner LGAs On Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) has said that it will partner with local government security
chiefs in its fight against fake and adulterated drugs in Anambra State.

The Coordinator, NAFDAC Special Zonal Office, Onitsha, Mr
Dauda Gimba, who made this known in an interview in Onitsha, Anambra State, on
Thursday,said that the partnership become necessary because the agency had
inaugurated its Local Government Desk Officers in 21 Local Government areas of
Anambra State.

“The Local Government Desk Officers must work hand-in-glove
with the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and council area Directors of
Department of State Security Services (SSS) in handling local but critical
issues. “It will help them to get the needed security agencies protection when
they are enforcing or investigating a fake and adulterated drug related issues.

“With the current arrangement, the fight against fake, adulterated
and counterfeit drugs would be total. NAFDAC wants to get those people now
using the rustic nature of local areas to perpetrate this evil,’’ he noted.

On feelers that some unscrupulous fake drug dealers from
Kano Drug Market would likely penetrate Anambra, the coordinator said that the
agency was closely monitoring Onitsha Drug Market.

“We are on ground in Onitsha Drug Market and other markets
in the major cities in Anambra State. “As you know, our Local Government Desk
Officers within the 21 council areas would also help us keep track of the rural
areas so that it would not be infiltrated by fake and adulterated drugs manufacturers
and paddlers,’’ he said.

Gimba
also urged everyone to be wary and scrutinise drug and food products before
buying them.