Traders surrender N25m worth of expired drugs to NAFDAC

Traders at the Bridge-Head Drug Market, Onitsha, Anambra State on
Thursday handed over expired drugs worth N25 million to NAFDAC in
Anambra State.
Kenneth Nwosu, the Chairman of Onitsha Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Union, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria in Onitsha.
Nwosu said most of them were submitted to the union executives by the
traders, while some were seized by the Task Force against Expired,
Fake and Sub-standard Drugs.
He said: “They are products of many pharmaceutical companies within
and outside the country.
“We also handed over a handful of fake drugs discovered by the task force.
“NAFDAC had deposited the expired drugs in their store in Agulu to
take proper record of them pending their destruction.”
Nwosu said the union had re-enforced its task force to enable members
to work round the clock.
He added: “We have opened more channels of information flow between
the traders and the task force.
“People can now drop information in a box without mentioning their names.
“The task force will track down any suspicious product or dealers.”
Dr. Christiana Esenwah, Assistant Director of NAFDAC in-charge of
Onitsha Special Zonal Office, commended the traders for their bold
initiative to rid the market of expired drugs.
Esenwah said the agency was still looking up to the market executives
to do more and sensitise its members on the importance of retaining
public confidence by selling only wholesome drugs.
“We are grateful for this step and urging you to do more as well as
rid this market of unwholesome, expired, fake and sub-standard drugs
for the benefit of all,” she said.