C'ttee moves to tackle fake drug in Onitsha market   
Written by VANGUARD     
Friday, 13 March 2009 

Onitsha—The Caretaker Committee on Onitsha Drugs Market  in Anambra State, has said it has put a machinery in place to tackle fake, adulterated and counterfeit  drugs in the market. The Committee said it was also monitoring the activities of dealers with questionable characters in the market.

The Chairman and the Secretary of  the committee, Mr. Donatus Ugwudike and Chidiebere Nwagu respectively, said this while briefing newsmen in Onitsha.

They said that some measures which they had taken since 2008 had compelled some fake drug sellers to flee the market.

Ugwudike and Nwagu disclosed that many of those  involved in fake drugs were detected, apprehended and handed over to NAFDAC for interrogations and possible sanctions.

The duo said anytime a suspected fake dealer was detected and handed over to NAFDAC, the committee usually sealed off the suspect’s shop.

Such a shop, they said, would not be re-opened until when NAFDAC was through with investigations and direct the committee to either re-open it or seal it off permanently.

They, however, noted that the issue of expired drugs could not be completely stamped out in the country.“Any product which can be consumed before its expiry date must surely expire but our committee usually goes round the market to fish out expired products for destruction,’’ they said.

They said their committee had organised series of lectures and enlightenment campaigns for traders on the need for them to voluntarily hand over all expired goods for destruction.

They congratulated the new NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, on his appointment and assured him of their co-operation to enable him succeed in his assignment.

They contended that Orhii’s utterances had proved his readiness to work like his predecessor, Prof. Dora Akunyili.



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