The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested three drug hawkers and seized substandard drugs worth N250,000 in Kaduna.

The agency’s coordinator in the state, Nasiru Mato, disclosed during an interview in Kaduna on Thursday.

The coordinator said that the exercise was part of ongoing efforts to stamp out drug hawking in the state.

He added, “Drug hawking exposes medicines to severe temperature, humidity and unfriendly climate conditions.
This is unacceptable.”

Mr Mato also said that the agency had intensified surveillance and hunting of “self-acclaimed” doctors who engage in illegal practice.

He said “it is the actions of such persons that led to the raid at Sabon Tasha and seizure of unregistered aphrodisiacs and analgesics.

“All drugs and medical items must be kept at the recommended temperature and relative humidity to ensure their safety, quality
and efficacy.”

He advised consumers to always be wary of the source of medicines, check for NAFDAC registration number, manufacturing date, expiry date, batch number, name and full location address of manufacturer.

He also urged consumers to purchase medicines from registered drug outlets, instead of patronising touts as the ban on hawking
and advertisement of drugs is still in force.

“Drug hawkers must not be allowed to toy with the lives of the people,” he said.

Mr Mato also cautioned against self-medication, saying it could be detrimental to health.

He reiterated NAFDAC’s determination to continue to educate unsuspecting consumers on the inherent dangers of patronising
drug hawkers.

(NAN)