Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra has vowed to work closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to eliminate fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs from markets in the state.
Speaking on Saturday in Onitsha on Saturday, he addressed traders of Ogbo Ogwu and nearby markets, which had been shut down by NAFDAC for selling counterfeit and expired medications.
Reflecting on past enforcement actions, Soludo recalled that the market had been closed for four months in 2007, stressing that such measures were necessary for public safety.
“The enforcement is being carried out by NAFDAC. We are here to solve the problem,” Soludo stated. He also shared a conversation with a leader of the plumbing market, who was unaware that counterfeit drugs were being sold in the area. “He did not know that such illicit drugs could be found here,” the governor said.
Emphasizing the dangers of fake medications, he warned traders about the health risks, citing how substandard malaria pills could worsen a patient’s condition rather than cure the disease. He reassured the traders that NAFDAC officials would act swiftly to sanitize the market.
In response, Chairman of the Onitsha Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Ejiofor Chikodi, pledged to take decisive action against any trader found storing counterfeit drugs.
The commitment from both the government and market leaders signals a united front in tackling the menace of fake pharmaceuticals in Anambra. With Soludo’s firm stance and NAFDAC’s enforcement, efforts to restore public trust in the market are expected to progress efficiently.
