NAFDAC decries high incidence of fake drugs

By Tony Edike
ENUGU—South East zone of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has raised fresh alarm over the high incidence of counterfeit drugs in the country.

It also announced the discovery and seizure of fake drugs worth over N2.5 million from Ogbete main market in Enugu  during the week.

The seized drugs, which were displayed in cartons before newsmen included Lonart, Lisinopril tablets and Funbact-A cream, all manufactured by one pharmaceutical company, whose identity was not disclosed.

Acting South-East Zonal Head of NAFDAC, Udoekpo Ekpo, who briefed newsmen in Enugu, shortly after inspecting the market, said despite the 90 percent pass mark given to Enugu State in recent inspection of various drug outlets in the state, fake drugs had continued to find their ways into markets in the state.

He said that the raid on Ogbete Market, where they seized counterfeit drugs was due to a tip-off they got, stressing that the large volume of adulterated drugs in Nigerian markets was giving the Agency, serious concern.