Ondo State Joint Task Force on counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Food has clamped down on some Pharmaceutical stores in Akure who sell fake and controlled drugs to members of the public.
The task force comprising of the Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, NDLEA and NAFDAC sealed off three pharmaceutical stores in the state capital.
The task force, which was constituted last week, is to tackle the incessant incidents of fake and adulterated drugs in the state.
Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of health, Dr. Taye Oni vowed to make the state inhabitable for those dealing in harmful drugs.
Oni who was part of the monitoring team said the state would not be used as dumping ground for drugs inimical to the well being of the people of the state.
Some of the premises sealed off included Shessy Patient Medicine at Hospital road Akure where dangerous and controlled drugs such as flunitrazepalm (Swinol), Misoprostol tablets without NAFDAC number, Analgin (banned over 10 years ago) and 200mg Tramadol, dangerous to the health were stored in an unconducive environment were found.
TOKs Leve Patient Medicine store on number 17 Ijomu Street, Akure was also sealed for flouting the rules of operation and for possession of harmful drugs.
The chairman of the task force, Pharm. Gbenga Lasekan blamed the infiltration of dangerous drugs without manufacturer’s name and address into the Nigerian Market on porosity of our boarders but promised that culprits who will be brought to book.
He said the task force had achieved so much since its inauguration as its fear had reduced to the bearest minimum incidence of fake and adulterated drugs in the state.
Lasekan who re-iterated the commitment of the government to safeguard the health of the people of the state advised the residents to always buy drugs from registered premises, check for NAFDAC number on the drugs and where there is need for clarification, consult a registered pharmacist.
A Director of NAFDAC, Pharm. Wole Ojo who expressed delight at the activities of the taskforce said it had made very big catch of patent medicine stores selling fake adulterated drugs and narcotics in an unconducive environment.
Comments