Ogun destroys fake drugs worth N1.5mn

Manufacturers of fake drugs were threatened with legal action.

The Ogun State Ministry of Health on Tuesday destroyed fake drugs worth more than N1.5 million as a demonstration of its resolve to rid the State of unwholesome and expired drugs.

The public burning of the drugs took place along Kobape Road, Abeokuta. It was conducted by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Tunde Olowonyo, who condemned those involved in the illicit trade, warning them to desist forthwith or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.

“Fake drug is bad and dangerous to any society and this is to warn those in the business to be careful else, legal actions will be taken against them,” Mr. Olowonyo warned.

He explained that the exercise, which was undertaken for the second time, was meant to put a check to the menace, reiterating that efficient healthcare delivery is one of the 5-cardinal programmes of the State Government.

While emphasizing that all hands must be on deck to achieve the goal, Mr. Olowonyo lauded the pharmaceutical inspectorate department at whose instance the seizures were made, counseling them not to relent in the efforts to apprehend more culprits.

In her remark, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry, Modupe Olurin, said the major function of her department was to monitor and ensure that the citizens of the State have access to safe health.

She called on owners of drug outlets in the State to register with her department to ensure proper monitoring.

Also speaking, the State Officer, Inspection and Monitoring, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Shakirat Arasi, said the exercise was a step in the right direction to ensure that residents have access to safe, wholesome and therapeutically efficacious drugs at all times.

She enjoined operators of drug outlets in the state to operate in line with the set guidelines of PHCN by ensuring that drugs sold are stored under the right condition.

On his part, the Assistant Director, National Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the State, Ugochukwu Ilo, commended the State Government for the initiative to rid the State of fake and counterfeit products, assuring that on its part, NAFDAC would remain unrelenting too.