The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive action against drug hawking in Kaduna, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of substandard drugs valued at N250,000.
Mr. Nasiru Mato, the agency’s coordinator in the state, revealed these developments in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday. He emphasized that the crackdown was part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the illegal practice of drug hawking in the region.
According to Mato, drug hawking poses significant risks as it exposes medications to adverse environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures and humidity. He stressed that such practices compromise the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines, which is unacceptable.
In addition to combating drug hawking, NAFDAC has intensified its surveillance efforts to root out individuals falsely claiming to be medical practitioners. Mato cited a recent raid in Sabon Tasha, where unregistered aphrodisiacs and analgesics were seized, as an example of the agency’s proactive measures.
Mato underscored the importance of storing drugs and medical supplies at recommended conditions to maintain their integrity. He urged consumers to exercise caution by verifying the NAFDAC registration number, manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, and manufacturer’s full address before purchasing medications.
Furthermore, Mato advised against self-medication, emphasizing its potential hazards to health. He reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to educating the public about the risks associated with patronizing drug hawkers and encouraged consumers to obtain medications from registered outlets.
In conclusion, Mato affirmed NAFDAC’s resolve to protect public health by combating illegal drug practices and ensuring the availability of safe and quality medicines.