The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Monday, seized unregistered and expired aphrodisiacs, and other drugs worth N20million in Kaduna State.
The agency made the seizures during a raid on 26 shops at the Sabon Gari market in Zaria LGA of the State.
The drugs seized included microgynon, drugs meant to be distributed free to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and oxytocin (injection for women after childbirth), which required specific temperature to be stored, but were found in the open.
The Deputy Director in charge of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, Kaduna Office, Mr. Tamanuwa Andrew, said the continuous exercise was aimed at ridding markets of substandard and falsified medicines.
He noted that falsified, expired, and substandard medicines pose great danger to the entire world, including Nigeria – a developing country.
“The seized aphrodisiacs were found to contain up to 200 strength milligrams which was more than 100mg that the agency registered,” he said.
He listed some of the challenges to include increased hospital admission, development of resistance and treatment failure, which ultimately result to death.
He also noted that the unpatriotic business men and women targeted medicines with high volume of use such as anti-malarial, antibiotics, antihypertensive, among others, for treatment of diseases.
The Deputy Director explained that one of the strategies NAFDAC employed to reduce or minimise the menace of substandard and falsified products was by continuous mop-up of the products from circulation.
He appealed to the public, especially health practitioners, to assist the agency in the fight against substandard drugs, while warning against self medication.
He said investigations of those found wanting would begin and upon conclusion, they would face the necessary regulatory sanctions or prosecution according to the provisions of the law.
He restated their commitment to ensure safe markets where consumers would buy the right and quality assured medicines and other consumables.
– NAN