The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged patent medicine dealers not to indulge in selling substandard and counterfeit drugs to Nigerians.

Its director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the advice at a one-day sensitisation and awareness campaign against substandard and falsified medical products in Abuja on Monday.

Ms Adeyeye, represented by Bitrus Fraden, director of postmarketing surveillance, emphasised that substandard and counterfeit drugs are fake, poisonous and hazardous to human health.

She called on patent medicine dealers to ensure they give out genuine products and qualitative services to the public.

The NAFDAC boss also urged them not to indulge in any dirty act that could implicate them, saying the laws are there to catch up with the culprits.

“Do not engage in any sharp practices just because you are driven by money; the welfare of the people should be the driving force. Contribute your quota to sanitising the community against drug abuse.

“The focus of this meeting is how to avoid substandard and falsified medical products. Source your medical and drugs from the right sources and ensure your suppliers meet the standard.

“With positive thinking, we will serve Nigerians with products that are better by first scrutinising everything before putting them on our shelves for sale,” Ms Adeyeye said.

In his remarks, Odoh-Theophilus Okwudili, the chairman, Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), appreciated NAFDAC for effective drug regulation and monitoring of pharmaceutical products.

Mr Okwudili called on other drug and standard regulations stakeholders to collaborate with NAFDAC, saying that providing guidance and support for patent medicine dealers should be prioritised.

(NAN)