The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a significant stride in its fight against illegal drug hawking in Kaduna. Three drug hawkers have been apprehended, and substandard drugs valued at N250,000 have been confiscated.
Mr. Nasiru Mato, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Kaduna, affirmed that the operation is a pivotal component of the agency’s ongoing endeavors to eradicate drug hawking in the state. He emphasized the detrimental impact of drug hawking, exposing medicines to unfavorable environmental conditions, including severe temperature and humidity.
Furthermore, Mr. Mato disclosed that the agency has escalated surveillance and crackdowns on “self-acclaimed” doctors engaged in illicit practice. He underscored that the recent raid in Sabon Tasha resulted in the seizure of unregistered aphrodisiacs and analgesics. There is a pressing need, he stressed, for all drugs and medical items to be stored at recommended temperature and relative humidity to safeguard their safety, quality, and efficacy.
Consumers were cautioned to be vigilant about the source of medicines, verify the NAFDAC Registration Number, manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, name, and complete location address of the manufacturer. Mr. Mato urged the public to procure medicines solely from accredited drug outlets, cautioning against patronizing illicit sources, as the ban on drug hawking and advertisement remains in effect.
Mr. Mato asserted, “Drug hawkers must not be allowed to toy with the lives of the people,” emphasizing the perils of self-medication and reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to educating unsuspecting consumers about the hazards of patronizing drug hawkers.
NAFDAC’s decisive actions in Kaduna stand as a testament to its unwavering dedication to upholding public health and safety.
