NAFDAC Destroys N89m Counterfeit Drugs in Plateau

By Seriki  Adinoyi in Jos

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 sensitise the youths of the state on the grave danger of indulging in illicit drugs. 

Acting Director General of the agency, Mrs. Yetunde Oni disclosed this in Plateau 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 had dropped significantly from the N100 million it was last year to N89m in 2016, indicating that the agency had 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 were allowed into the Nigerian market. She pledged to deploy strategies to ensure that violators were not only arrested but also face the full wrath of the law.

 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 sensitised on the danger of illicit drugs.

Abdullahi Garba Abbas, who represented Governor Simon Lalong at NAFDAC Stakeholders meeting where the agreement was reached, expressed state government’s readiness to rid the state of all illicit drugs which, according to him has wreaked untold havoc on the lives of the youths of the state.

 Oni also expressed the agency’s readiness to educate the youths on the danger of illicit drugs and how they can avoid it.