COUNTERFEITING WORTH $200 BILLION WORLDWIDE
If you cannot activate the malaria drug via the authentication code, don’t buy it, report to NAFDAC and we will move in to find out why it is so
July 22, 2014 – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against indiscriminate purchase of anti-malaria drugs, stressing that it cannot guarantee any anti-malaria drug that is sold without a code for ascertaining its genuineness.
Director General NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii made the observation while speaking at an occasion to launch the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme in Lagos.
He said that with effect from July 1, 2014, all drugs sold in Nigeria are required to carry authentication code which the buyer is expected to send via text messages to a phone number indicated on the sachet by the manufacturer to ascertain its genuineness.
“If you cannot activate the malaria drug via the authentication code, don’t buy it, report to NAFDAC and we will move in to find out why it is so”, he assured Nigerians.
He explained that the business of counterfeiting is worth $200 billion worldwide, adding that it thrives in Nigeria due to large population of over 170 million people, purchasing power and the prevalent of malaria ailment in Nigeria.
He warned that Glutathione skin lightening injection and other bleaching creams remain prohibited in Nigeria adding that many smuggle it into Nigeria since they are able to purchase the product online.
Glutathione skin lightening injection automatically lightens the skin once it is administered, he said.
The DG however said that NAFDAC is on the trail of a particular lady found to be selling the product, adding that she will be arrested once she is sighted in Nigeria.
He called on artistes in Nigeria to embrace health insurance scheme to enable to them carry out regular medical check-up adding that most ailment including cancer can be cured only if it is detected on time. He said that the lifestyle of artistes predisposes them to early death.
According to him some take drugs, caffeine and others to enable them work hard to achieve success, stressing that they must however have good sleep and abstain from substance abuse. He said that abuse of drugs weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to health problem such as stroke, liver damage, aggression and hallucination.
Among those present at the event are Prince Jide Kosoko, President Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Ms. Ibinabo Fiberesima, Charlse Novia, Fuji music crooner, Adewale Ayuba, Comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, Grace Amah, Kally Ikpe, OJB Jazereel and Julius Agwu among others.
Edited by Emmanuel Thomas
