The Anambra government has intensified efforts to rid the state of fake drugs, unsafe food and other harmful products, with plans to introduce a toll-free line for reporting suspected violations.

The Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Friday at a stakeholders’ meeting involving government agencies and other relevant bodies held in Awka.

The commissioner said the stakeholders discussed measures to protect residents from dangerous drugs, food and other harmful products.

Mr Obidike, however, called for swift action against persons involved in the production and sale of fake or illegal drugs; adulteration of food; and other activities capable of endangering public health.

“We must take quick action against those producing or selling fake drugs, adulterating food and engaging in activities that put the health of our people at risk,” he said.

He said there was the need for sustained public enlightenment across the 21 local government areas to educate residents on the dangers of unsafe products.

The commissioner said the proposed toll-free line would enable members of the public to report suspected cases of fake drug sales, illegal drug production, food adulteration and other harmful practices.

“We want to introduce a toll-free number where members of the public can report people selling fake drugs, producing illegal drugs, adulterating food or engaging in other harmful activities,” Mr Obidike said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, pledged his ministry’s support for the campaign through public enlightenment and collaboration with relevant agencies.

Mr Mefor expressed concern over the circulation of fake prescription and lifesaving drugs, as well as the use of harmful substances in food preparation.

He called for improved monitoring, establishment of a special task force and prompt response to reports of suspicious activities.

“We need better monitoring, a special task force and quick action whenever members of the public report suspicious activities,” Mr Mefor said.

Also, Louis Madubuattah, Head, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Anambra, called for increased sensitisation for food producers, sellers, handlers and distributors.

Mr Madubuattah said NAFDAC conducted about 492 inspections and other routine regulatory activities in the state in 2025, resulting in more than 100 sanctions.

He said that in 2026, the agency conducted more than 300 of such activities, with about 71 sanctions recorded.

He proposed a one-month public awareness campaign through radio, other media platforms and direct engagement with food producers and handlers.

“We need to intensify education for food producers, food sellers and everyone involved in the preparation and distribution of food,” he said.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) State Coordinator Fidelis Wariboko said ensuring that harmful products did not reach consumers was the responsibility of all actors in the production and supply chain.

“Farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers all have important roles to play in keeping harmful products away from the public,” he said.

Mr Wariboko called for stronger collaboration and information sharing among regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC and SON.

“No single government agency can solve this problem alone. We need cooperation and information sharing among all relevant agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

(NAN)