Controlled, Unregistered Drugs: NAFDAC Seal Shops in Lagos

Gilbert Ekugbe

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed shops in Lagos to checkmate the sale of controlled and unregistered drugs in the country.

The move according to the agency is apt considering the health implications these drugs have on unsuspecting consumers.

The Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Afolabi Aderemi, at an enforcement exercise in Oke Arin, Idumota area of Lagos, said the drugs are classified as schedule one drugs and should only be sold by the Federal Ministry of Health Control through their medical stores nationwide.

“The enforcement is an ongoing thing and we are specifically here because of the investigation of some uncontrolled drugs and by virtue of international convention, they are schedule one drugs that ought not to be sold individually. We have evidence that some of these dealers are operating in this illegal business. We have some evidence and that is why we are sealing the shops and we have also invited them to the office to come and clarify themselves, “he said.

Responding to questions over the prevalence of fake drugs despite punitive measures by the agency, he said, “The issue is that we are dealing with an organised crime here and by virtue of the amount of money in it, it is very tempting, but we are appealing to people at every opportunity we have to say to them to stay away from buying unregistered and controlled products that are not supposed to be sold by this patent medicine and other pharmacy.”

Also speaking, the first vice chairman, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association Island Zone, Innocent Ezennia, said the inspection exercise by NAFDAC is apt, saying that it is vital for sanitising the industry.

“The enforcement was on a tip off that they were invited. I took them around to identify the places they were looking for. Their activities are important because they are helping us to do our work,” he said.