‘Sub-Standard Drugs Threat To MDG

The National Agency for
Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said the continued existence of sub-standard and fake medicines constitutes a threat to the attainment of MDGs health goals.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, said this in an address at a sensitisation workshop for medicine sellers and distributors within the Bridge-Head Drug Market, Onitsha in Anambra recently.
The theme of the workshop was “Fight against Fake and Sub-Standard Products – A Fight for All’’.
Orhii, who was represented by a director of NAFDAC, Dr Samson Adebayo, said that everybody must work with the Federal Government to achieve the United Nations’ MDGs targets.
He said doing so would be for the benefit of all, especially the most vulnerable such as women and children.
“The health focus of the Federal Government of Nigeria is in consonance with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6.
“This advocates reduction in infant mortality, improvement in maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
“Fake and counterfeit medicines pose a great threat to the attainment of these goals as well as the overall public health.
“They cause several health problems including treatment failure, organs and system failure, economic loss, sickness, death etc,’’ he said.
Orhii said that the new Drug Mega Plaza in Onitsha was in line with the recently introduced State and Mega Drug Distribution Centres (SMDDCs).
He said that the plaza was meant to complement the drug market in Onitsha and exhibit required standard for places used for drug sales.
“The Drug Mega Plaza in Onitsha will only complement the already existing Bridge-Head Drug Market as well as be a role model for all drug sales outlets in Anambra State and the entire country, ‘’ he said.
Orhii, however, urged the drug traders to continue to work with the agency to ensure that unregistered, fake, sub-standard and adulterated drugs did not find their way into their markets.
The Chairman of Bridge-Head Drug Market, Onitsha, Mr Ugochukwu Nwosu said the markets leadership had implemented far-reaching policies to comply with the NAFDAC directive.
He said that this would ensure tighter drug movement