National
Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized and
destroyed counterfeit and expired drugs and unwholesome regulated products
worth N89 Million in Plateau state.
It has also partnered the state government to
sensitize the youths of the state on the grave dangers of indulging in illicit
drugs.
Acting Director General of the agency, Mrs.
Yetunde Oni, disclosed this during a working visit to the state.
Oni, who was represented by the Director of
Special Duties of NAFDAC, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, during the destruction exercise
at Ratt village of Barkin Ladi local government area of the state, noted that
“some of the products were voluntarily submitted to NAFDAC by various
government and non-governmental organisations, while others were mopped-up from
open market via enforcement activities and surveillance system of the agency.”
She added that she was glad that the amount of
damaged drugs has dropped significantly from the N100 million it was last year to
N89m in 2016, indicating that the agency has strengthened its enforcement and
surveillance system.
Oni expressed optimism that in the near future
the agency would have little or nothing to destroy as its staff would work
towards ensuring that only good quality, safe and affordable medicines, and
wholesome products are allowed into the Nigerian market. She pledged to deploy
strategies to ensure that violators are not only arrested but also face the
full wrath of the laws.
Earlier in her remarks, Zonal Coordinator of
North Central Zone of NAFDAC, Mrs. Josephine A. Dayilim said that the agency
would work round the clock to regulate and control the manufacture,
importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of foods,
drugs, cosmetics, chemical, medical devices and packaged waters and other
drinks.
Meanwhile, the agency and the state government
have expressed commitment to partner to ensure that youths in the state are
adequately sensitized on the danger of illicit drugs.
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