The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that it will partner with local government security chiefs in its fight against fake and adulterated drugs in Anambra.
The Coordinator, NAFDAC Special Zonal Office, Onitsha, Mr Dauda Gimba, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra, on Thursday.
Gimba said that the partnership become necessary because the agency had inaugurated its Local Government Desk Officers in 21 Local Government areas of Anambra.
“The Local Government Desk Officers must work hand-in-glove with the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and council area Directors of Department of State Security Services (SSS) in handling local but critical issues.
“It will help them to get the needed security agencies protection when they are enforcing or investigating a fake and adulterated drug related issues.
“With the current arrangement, the fight against fake, adulterated and counterfeit drugs would be total.
“NAFDAC wants to get those people now using the rustic nature of local areas to perpetrate this evil,’’ he noted.
On feelers that some unscrupulous fake drug dealers from Kano Drug Market would likely penetrate Anambra, the coordinator said that the agency was closely monitoring Onitsha Drug Market.
“We are on ground in Onitsha Drug Market and other markets in the major cities in Anambra.
“As you know, our Local Government Desk Officers within the 21 council areas would also help us keep track of the rural areas so that it would not be infiltrated by fake and adulterated drugs manufacturers and paddlers,’’ he said.
Gimba also urged everyone to be wary and scrutinise drug and food products before buying them. (NAN)