A task force policing fake drugs and unwholesome foods in Kano says it has seized and destroyed fake and counterfeit drugs worth N6 billion in the past nine years.

Head of the panel Gali Sule told members of the NUJ in Kano on Saturday that officials had destroyed fake and counterfeit drugs in about 20 different locations since the inauguration of the committee in 2012.

The committee chairman attributed the success to the hard work and commitment of its members and also other related agencies established to fight the menace.

Mr. Sule said the state’s ranking on the consumption of fake and substandard drugs has improved as it drops from number one to six in a recent rating.

He stressed that it has helped in sanitising the society, the nation and many African Countries from engaging in sales of fake and counterfeit drugs.

“If you sanitise Kano of fake drugs, you are sanitising many countries in the region of Africa of substandard drugs because countries like Niger, Chad, even Sudan among others buy their drugs from Kano.

“We have destroyed all the seized drugs, 20 destruction exercises for the seized drugs have been held since 2012, mostly witnessed by the executive governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje,” Mr. Sule said.

Before the committee was raised, Kano was spending a lot of money on malaria, yet sicknesses persisted because of fake and counterfeit malaria drugs.

Drug hawkers on the streets of Kano have been driven away because of the activities of the committee, which comprises NAFDAC, NDLEA, security agencies, KAROTA and vigilante groups.

“Drug hawkers in Kano have been drastically reduced before they were everywhere but they are no more, they have relocated to neighbouring states.

“Just three days ago we confiscated fake and adulterated drugs, which if left undetected would have affected many, especially pregnant women.

“The logo on the drug is for a partnership programme between Kano state and some international donors on drugs.

“The partnership had terminated three years ago, but these people are still using the logo to manufacture the fake drug,” he said.

The official said more measures are being taken in collaboration with the Federal Government to stymie the menace, mentioning an, where all d ongoing site construction where drug marketers, especially wholesalers in Kano would be relocated.

“All the drug regulatory agencies will be there to ensure that fake drugs are not brought in and distributed. Kano governor approved the site and it is almost 80 percent completed,” he said.