The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has apprehended three individuals engaged in drug hawking and confiscated substandard medications valued at N250,000 in Kaduna.
Mr. Nasiru Mato, the agency’s Coordinator in the state, disclosed this during an interview on Thursday. Mato explained that the operation was conducted as part of continuous endeavours to eradicate the illicit practice of drug hawking within the state.
“Drug hawking exposes medicines to severe temperature, humidity and unfriendly climate conditions. This is unacceptable,” he said.
According to Mato, the agency had intensified surveillance and hunting of “self-acclaimed” doctors who engage in illegal practice.
“It is the actions of such persons that led to the raid at Sabon Tasha and seizure of unregistered aphrodisiacs and analgesics.
“All drugs and medical items must be kept at the recommended temperature and relative humidity to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy.”
He advised consumers to always be wary of the source of medicines, and check for the NAFDAC Registration Number, manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, name and full location address of the manufacturer.
He also urged consumers to purchase medicines from registered drug outlets, instead of patronising touts as the ban on hawking and advertisement of drugs is still in force.
“Drug hawkers must not be allowed to toy with the lives of the people,” he said.
Mato also cautioned against self-medication, saying it can be detrimental to health.
He reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to continue to educate unsuspecting consumers on the inherent dangers of patronising
