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NAFDAC, Customs to tackle counterfeit drugs, substandard products

EDITORIAL: China, India, and fake drugs in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in conjunction with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has established a joint committee to strengthen and tackle the influx of counterfeit drugs and substandard regulated products into the country.

Speaking at the setting up of an eight man joint committee the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Christianah Adeyeye, said the forming of the joint committee was a fall out of her courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of Customs, Retired Colonel Hameed Ali.

Prof Adeyeye disclosed that the newly established joint Committee will come up with action plan on intensive education, training and exchange of programmes between the personnel of both agencies as well as joint enforcement operations.

The NAFDAC Boss commended the initiatives and eagerness of the Comptroller General to support NAFDAC’s concerted efforts to rid the country of counterfeit drugs and substandard regulated products.

In his remarks, retired Colonel Ali emphasized the need for the two government agencies to close ranks and work together in the interest of Nigerians, particularly the youth and the housewives who have been exposed to devastating effects of abuse of codeine in the name of cough syrups and tramadol illegally shipped into the country.

He stressed the urgent need for NAFDAC and the Customs to put in place necessary measures to prevent Nigerian politicians from taking undue advantage of “our vulnerable youths and getting them hooked to drugs in order to be used as thugs during electioneering campaign”

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Ihesiulo Grace

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