The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated the Ebonyi State Taskforce on “Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods”.
The inauguration, which took place in Abakaliki, attracted key stakeholders on the taskforce, comprising NAFDAC, Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, the NAFDAC Director, South East Zone, Dr. Festus Ukadike gave an overview of the enforcement initiative, as well as its objectives and urged Ebonyi State to take the lead in confronting the growing threat of counterfeit medicines and unsafe packaged foods.
According to her, “enforce standards, coordinate intelligence-driven surveillance, remove illegal products from circulation, and support legitimate manufacturers and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators.”
She disclosed that the taskforce would carry out coordinated market inspections and rapid testing, including transparent reporting to the Chairman Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, Dr. Martin Iluyomade (FSI) who spoke through Zoom from Lagos State, said that the taskforce derived its legal backing from an Act of the National Assembly and it supersedes any similar taskforce constituted by a State.
On his part, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma described the circulation of harmful drugs and unhealthy foods as a serious threat to human existence, stressing that the menace kills silently, weakens the healthcare systems and affects the poor and the vulnerable.
He enumerated the efforts made by the Ministry to curb counterfeit drugs.
Ekuma maintained that the inauguration was not a ceremonial event but a call to action and enjoined members of the taskforce to work assiduously to eliminate all forms of health-threatening substances in the State.
On his part, the Ebonyi State NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr. Emeka Orajiaka emphasized that the fight against counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed foods cannot be tackled by NAFDAC alone, adding that with the collaborative efforts of the newly inaugurated taskforce, significant progress can be achieved in protecting the health and safety of Ebonyi residents.
Responding on behalf of others, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo promised that the taskforce would operate with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.
He pledged their readiness to collaborate with relevant agencies, manufacturers, regulatory bodies and the judiciary to dismantle networks making profit from human suffering.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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