Avoid fake drugs, expert tells patent medicine dealers

A medical expert, Dr Christable Okoye, has advised patent medicine dealers in Onitsha, Anambra State, to avoid sale of fake drugs to the public. She said the dangers inherent in the sale of fake and counterfeit drugs were too enormous to the health of the citizens. Okoye, who is also director of Christable International, gave […]

A medical expert, Dr Christable Okoye, has advised patent medicine dealers in Onitsha, Anambra State, to avoid sale of fake drugs to the public.

She said the dangers inherent in the sale of fake and counterfeit drugs were too enormous to the health of the citizens.

Okoye, who is also director of Christable International, gave the warning during a seminar organised in conjunction with Anambra State Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) for patent medicine dealers in Ochanja and Ose markets in Onitsha.

She said, the production and sale of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria has become a big problem particularly at the rate it affects the poor masses that depend on the drug market.

“Counterfeit drugs pose great danger to the attainment of the Millennium

Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 which hope for a reduction in infant mortality, improved maternal health and combating Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and other diseases,” she said.

She said NOA and Christable International  initiated the workshop to sensitize stakeholders particularly patent shop owners.

The state Director of NOA, Mr Charles Nwaoji described fake, adulterated and unwholesome drugs as an ill wind that does not blow anyone any good.

A guest lecturer at the seminar, and a food and drugs safety consultant, Sir Okwudili Festus Animba, said fake, adulterated and unwholesome drugs were dangerous for national healthcare delivery.

He charged those fighting fake drugs to use every legal means at their disposal to fight the scourge.

The chairman of Ochanja Patent Proprietors and Medicine Dealers Union, Hon. Boniface Muonwike, thanked the organizers of the seminar and assured that they would put to practice all they learnt.

According to him, they already have a task force to checkmate the involvement of their members in buying and selling of such drugs in the market