The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has inaugurated a Task-Force on “Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods” in Ebonyi.
Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, represented by the South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike inaugurated the taskforce in Abakaliki on Friday.
Adeyeye said the inauguration was part of the agency’s efforts to combat the incidence of counterfeit, fake drugs, and unwholesome processed foods not only in Ebonyi but Nigeria at large.
NAN reports that the task-force comprised representatives of NAFDAC, the state Ministry of Health, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Police Force.
Adeyeye urged the people of Ebonyi to stand with the task-force and forge stronger team in confronting the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and unsafe packaged foods in the state.
“The mandate of the task-force includes, enforcing standards, conducting intelligence-driven surveillance, removing illegal products from circulation, and strengthening public awareness.
“The task-force will also support legitimate manufacturers and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators,” he added.
The director-general expressed hope that with the implementation of the taskforce measures, NAFDAC would go a long way in protecting public health, support honest businesses, reduce the economic toll of counterfeit medicines-driven illnesses and inefficiency.
In his remark, Dr Martins Iluyomade, the Chairman, Federal Task-Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, who spoke via Zoom from Lagos, said that the task-force was backed by an Act of the National Assembly, Cap C34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Iluyomade urged members to see it as service to mankind and ensure that the country was free from fake drugs.
Mr Emeka Orajaka, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Ebonyi, said inauguration of the task-force became necessary as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Orajaka said that the task-force was ready to work hard to protect consumers, as well as Nigerians.
Dr Moses Ekuma, Ebonyi State Commissioner of Health, commended NAFDAC and pledged his support to ensure that members of the team succeeded in carrying out their duties.
Ashenews reports that the administration of the oath of office to members of the state Task-Force was done by Barr Jumbo Washington, the Agency’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate, Asaba.
