By Mariam Sanni
Federal government has inaugurated a multi-agency task force to tackle the growing menace of fake drugs and substandard medicines, as well as unwholesome processed foods in the country.
The initiative is aimed at safeguarding public health, strengthening regulatory enforcement and ensuring that only safe and high-quality drugs and food products reach consumers.
Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, yesterday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, said the task force would serve as a coordinated platform for intelligence sharing, joint operations and rapid enforcement against offenders.
He warned that counterfeit medicines and unsafe foods have continued to endanger lives, erode public trust in the healthcare system and undermine the nation’s food security.
“This is a decisive step to protect Nigerians from harmful products that have no place in our markets or hospitals. Those who engage in the production or sale of counterfeit medicines and unwholesome foods are committing a grave crime against the people,” Pate said.
Members of the task force were drawn from the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Army, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN.
Others are the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and other relevant agencies.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, pledged the agency’s full commitment to the initiative, noting that the fight against fake and substandard products requires coordinated national action.
She urged Nigerians to report suspicious drugs or food items through NAFDAC’s complaint channels.
The task force is expected to embark on market surveillance, conduct nationwide raids on suspected outlets, strengthen border controls and intensify public sensitisation on the dangers of counterfeit medicines and contaminated foods.
