The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Drugs

  • Fake drugs

    Fake drugs

    • NAFDAC deserves commendation for ts efforts in checking the trend

    Prior to the establishment of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in 1993, adulterated and counterfeit drugs had become a major problem in the country. Indeed, it was so serious that some African countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone banned the sale of drugs, foods and beverages produced in Nigeria.

    An incident in 1989 was particularly instructive: over 150 children died after being administered Paracetamol syrup containing diethylene glycol.

    Although fake and counterfeit drugs, foods, beverages and even cosmetics have not been eradicated in the country, the agency has put up a good fight against their producers and importers, with varying degrees of success. It would appear that NAFDAC recorded its most significant successes during the tenure of Dora Akunyili, a pharmacist and pharmacologist, who was at the helm from 2001 to 2008.

    It however seems the agency is coming alive again, especially with the string of successes it has recorded in recent times in fighting fake and counterfeit drugs. It has also heightened the tempo of its surveillance with a view to getting those behind the heinous crime arrested and prosecuted.

    Perhaps the latest of such efforts is its intention to prosecute 60 firms that allegedly faked its registration numbers. Mrs. Yetunde Oluremi Oni, the agency’s acting director-general told newsmen that the suspected fakers were arrested following intelligence report by NAFDAC’s Pharmacovigilance and Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate on a facility suspected to be producing a herbal medicine with fake NAFDAC registration number.

    Oni, who spoke through the director, investigation and enforcement, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, said: “During interrogation, one of the suspects arrested in the company claimed that the product was duly registered with NAFDAC and even tendered registration certificate to the investigators. But further investigation revealed that the NAFDAC registration certificate was fake.

    One Mr. Yahaya, in collaboration with two others, Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim a.k.a Lamido and Idris Adamu (prime suspect) were allegedly involved in the shady business. “Adamu, based in Sokoto, was said to have designed the NAFDAC certificate using a computer, printed and way billed it to Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, a.k.a Lamido, in Kaduna, who filled all necessary information and signed. He further confessed to have received N100, 000.00 from the N150, 000.00 given by the client”. Oni said further investigation was ongoing and that the case would be prosecuted.

    This is serious. It is bad for consumers of the products; it is bad for NAFDAC and it is bad even for the legitimate owners of the forged registration numbers.

    Given the widespread nature of the illegal business outfits, NAFDAC deserves commendations for swooping on the criminals who do not mind to make money by serving others what may well be  poison in the name of drugs, foods or cosmetics. The agency has been making stunning discoveries all over the country, particularly in recent times, from Lagos to Edo, Delta, Kaduna and Sokoto states, to mention a few.

    NAFDAC should intensify the monitoring not only of fake drugs and other items produced locally but also keep tabs on imported ones. This is much more so because some heartless importers have gone to the extent of instructing drug manufacturers in some countries to lower the standards of the drugs and other products that they import. The effect, especially on drugs, is that it reduces their potency, with little impact on patients on whom they are administered.

    We cannot tell how many innocent people have fallen victims as a result of these inhuman and ungodly activities of the unscrupulous Nigerians involved in these rackets. Their activities have to be reduced to the barest minimum if not eradicated. NAFDAC’s responsibility in bringing this about is quite huge and we call on the government to give it the necessary support in the interest of all Nigerians. We are not happy that the agency’s workers are currently on strike over welfare matters. The Federal Ministry of Health should find a way of resolving the issues so that they can return to their duty posts immediately. The kind of service they render is not one that allows for prolonged absence at work.

  • How Nigerian men over 45 years old can last 25minutes during sex and increase manhood without using drugs!

    How Nigerian men over 45 years old can last 25minutes during sex and increase manhood without using drugs!

    If you suffer from weak erections and cannot last more than 2minutes on top of a woman before you release, then this article will reveal the 3 main reasons why you have been struggling with your sexual performance for many years and the natural remedy to cure it.

    The main reason for having poor erections and releasing too quick during sex is because you are poisoning yourself in multiple ways and killing your manpower.

    Today I will share with you 3 main reasons that causes weak erection and quick release during sex…

    1. Poor diet
    2. Smoking and Heavy Drinking of Alcohol
    3. Lack of exercise

    Let me explain these 3 things in details and how they affect your sexual performance in the bedroom

    1. Poor diet: Let’s face it, most Nigerian men usually do not take into consideration the kind of foods that they eat. Most men over the age of 40 still consume too much red meat and also eat lots of sugary foods and drinks (in form of pastries, fruit juice, beverages and soda etc.).


    As you know, sugar is an enemy to your body. It kills your manpower and turns you into a weakling that release too quick during sex.


    I recommend that you cut down on red meat, and also start eating a healthy diet by including more green vegetables and fruits in your diet. It will go a long way to renew your body system and help you get stronger erections naturally.

     

    Click Here to Get Access to the Natural Supplement (NAFDAC Approved) that Helped Me Last 25minutes plus during sex and Get Harder Erections Without Any Side Effects!
    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    1. Too much alcohol drinking and smoking: Sometimes I find it quite shocking that most Nigerian men wants to improve their sexual performance, but they still abuse alcoholic drinks and even smoke cigarettes excessively.

      No doubt about it, these 2 things KILLS your erection and reduces your sexual energy because excessive drinking of alcohol can cause delayed blood flowing into the penis, which can eventually damage blood vessels to your penis.


    I recommend that you reduce your alcohol intake and also reduce the amount of cigarettes packs that you smoke each day.

    1. Lack of exercise: Most Nigerian men do not actually have time for exercise. Even worse, they go through very high stress levels week in week out and do not have time to do simple workouts.

      If you want to get stronger erections, and ensure that blood keeps flowing into your penis naturally, then you need to set out time for 15minutes simple workouts like walking, taking the staircase, jogging or push ups.

      These exercises will help you keep a healthy penis and last longer during sex.

    Here’s a Natural Herbal Supplement that Helps Flush out Toxins in Your Body That Kills Your Manpower & sexual Energy and Makes You Last up to 25minutes in the Bedroom!


    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    Like I said earlier, other causes of quick ejaculation in men, and weak erections include high stress levels, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), old age and lack of exercise.

    I was once in your shoes of struggling with quick ejaculation and weak erections.

    And even worse, I had small manhood that frustrated my wife and was unable to satisfy her. My small manhood was shrinking in size and becoming smaller.

    It made my wife to reject having sex with me for several months.

    Do you know how it feels like to stay with a woman that denies you of sex all because you release within 2minutes of penetrating her and your manhood is too small, easily compared to that of a 3 year old boy?

    It was the worst thing that could happen to me. But my frustration did not end there.

    I suffered in shame and frustration for years before I finally got solution to my quick release and small manhood problem.

    Click Here to see the Natural Supplement that Improved my sexual performance and made me last 35minutes during sex without releasing!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    I started looking for solution to my poor sexual performance and sexless marriage.

    I tried several drugs from pharmacy, local bitters and herbs, but they worked for a while and after sometime the effectiveness was gone. And my condition was still the same.

    I became more frustrated , even wanted to quit and accept my fate.

    The breakthrough finally came when I got in contact with a men health specialist that offered a natural cure that corrected the root of my premature ejaculation;

    and also an imported product that helps men to increase the size of their manhood without side effects.

    It was a curative measure to permanently cure my weak erections, improve my sexual stamina so that I can last longer during sex with my wife and also double my manhood size.

    Go here now to Get the NAFDAC Approved Supplement that Helped me overcome my Premature Ejaculation Problem and Enlargement oil that Increased my Manhood size (No Side Effects of Any Kind)

    Listen, I know you have read about several things like this online.

    And you don’t know who to believe.

    But I will tell you the simple truth, the men health specialist gave me products that worked and permanently cure my problem that I was struggling with for years.

    Within the first 7 days of using the natural remedy, my wife and I were surprised at the results we got.

    The first solution given to by the men health specialist was an enlargement oil imported from japan that helps men to increase their manhood size up to 3.5inches and also helps strengthen your penis to avoid weak erections.

    The enlargement works for increasing the length and girth of your manhood without any side effects.

    It’s known as MK Essential Oil, and it has helped over 1,300 Nigerian men to increase their manhood size up to 3.5inches within 3 weeks

    Here’s what the enlargement oil looks like…

    What you simple do is to use the enlargement oil to massage your entire manhood and testicles before going to bed.

    To order for Your Bottles of the MK Enlargement oil, Click Here Now to Place order and Get the Products at a Discount Price!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    Once I started using the enlargement oil, I was surprised at the results I got. To ensure it is real, I had to take out a measuring tape to measure my penis size, which was 3.2inches when flaccid but now up 5.5inches.

    And you know the best part about the MK enlargement oil, the results are permanent. No shrinking of penis or any side effects of any kind.

    Yes, your manhood can become BIGGER just like my own when you start making use of the oil.

    My manhood is now increasing in size and getting longer, we measured it recently and it has added 3.4inches in 4weeks of using the mk oil.

    Get the Enlargement oil that worked and helped me increase my manhood size without any side effects

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    My wife now plays with my penis and gives me blowjob, sex is exciting and much better!

    Overall, I now command the respect that a complete man should get from his wife. All because I can satisfy my woman sexually.

    Apart from that, if you have been suffering from releasing too fast during sex with your woman, then there’s a NAFDAC approved herbal supplement recommended by Men Health experts that helps men to cure chronic quick ejaculation, weak erection and low sperm count.

    It’s the exact herbal supplement that changed me from a 1-minute man in the bedroom to performing for over 35minutes without releasing during sex.
    The NAFDAC approved supplement known as Mascum herbal pride contains 50capsules and it helps men to restore their sexual stamina, boost libido (also known as low sex drive) and permanently cures premature ejaculation and poor erections.

    Get the Premature ejaculation killer and enlargement oil at a special discount price here

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    And the best part about Mascum herbal pride is that…

    – it’s 100percent natural, it has no side effect on you even if you are a diabetic or hypertensive patients.

    – Also, it’s safe for Nigerian men no matter how old you are.

    – Even though you have been struggling with these problems of premature ejaculation and weak erections for years, it will surely help you permanently cure it.

    – Just 1 container of mascum herbal pride is enough to cure you of your sexual problems and end the miserable life of living with poor erections and quick ejaculation

    – Once you start using it, you no longer have to suffer from watery sperm, just use mascum herbal pride with natural honey to cure watery sperm

    – To be taken 1 tablet morning, and 1 night as a permanent cure to weak erection, low sperm count and quick ejaculation.

    Bottomline is, these 2 products (Mascum & MK Oil) recommended for me helped permanently cure my quick ejaculation problem and it also increased my manhood size (no side effect at all).

    Click Here Now to order for your bottles of the Mk Enlargement oil and Mascum today and start using it!

    Below are testimonies from real people like you who have used these products and what they saying about it

    “Your enlargement oil is working”

    I’ve been using your MK oil for 2 weeks now. Need to let you know that your products are really working. I only use the mk-oil 3 times in a week because am not really chanced due to the nature of my job.

    Since then I have gained about .5 inches and my penis is becoming thick. Now my girlfriend is experiencing a new me, and am also able to last for 20minutes using your mascum herbal pride.

    I know with time my penis will become bigger using this enlargement oil. Thanks for your help bro.

    I will order the product for one of my colleague and friend soon. Thanks for your help bro.

    Tunde (Zaria, Kaduna)

     

    Another testimonial….

    Mr. Dave I need to say a big thank you for helping me get this Mascum product. For 3 and half years I had this quick ejaculation problem and it really affected my life. I was reluctant to try this your product because I lost hope after several attempts.

    But when I showed my wife, she encouraged me to order for it, and give it a try.

    I use to last only 2 minutes when having sex with my wife, but now we have it for like 20 minutes and she enjoys the sex. Am really happy I can now make love to my wife like a real man.

    Mr. Chukwudi, Port Harcourt.

     

     

     

                                         

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a breakdown of the price for the Mascum Herbal capsule and MK enlargement oil

    Mascum herbal pride only – N15,000

    MK Enlargement oil only – N13,000

    If you are ordering for both (that is, Mascum and MK OIL) – N22,000

    (That is you will get a discount of N6,000… instead of paying N28,000 … So, you will pay N22,000 only for BOTH)

    But to Make It Even Better, When You Order Today,
    You will Also Get a FREE BONUS ENCLOSED
    to Your Parcel
    *NOT available anywhere Else

    Here’s how to get it: When you order for BOTH products today
    at N22,000…     you will get your own free bonus of the
    herbal capsule that cures sexually transmitted infections like
    staph, gonorrhea, chlamydia etc.

    FREE BONUS: REISHI CAPSULE

    Reishi Herbal capsule is premier tonic for anti-infection, anti-virus, anti-toxin, stable blood pressure and also treatment for female infertility. NAFDAC REG NO. A7-0444L

    One of the main causes of premature ejaculation and weak erections is due to sexually transmitted infections in the body system. And you need to treat them as soon as possible to completely cure your erectile dysfunction. Reishi contains 30capsules for completely cure of sexually transmitted infections and to flush off toxins from your body system.

    When you order today, you will get the Reishi herbal capsules for free.

    Remember, the free bonus is ONLY available to those that place their order right away. Don’t procrastinate, else you may not get it.

    So the deal is, place your order for the 2 products, today, and you get access to the extra BONUS, absolutely FREE!

    Click Here Now to order for your bottles of the Mk Enlargement oil and Mascum today!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    I do not have to go through any humiliation or embarrassment every again.

    My manhood is now bigger and normal like a matured man.

    To top it off, my wife and I are experiencing exciting sex and we make love like young couples now. She’s no more irritated by my small manhood because now it is much bigger and makes her scream and moan.

    Click Here to Place Order for the 2 Natural Solution that Made me Last 35Minutes And Double my Manhood Size Without Any Side Effects!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    Without wasting time, let me show you how to order for these 2 products (Mascum and MK enlargement oil) that will transform your sexual life and make you experience much better sex with your woman.

    To order for the mascum herbal pride and mk enlargement oil at the discount price today, follow the instructions below…

    You will pay for the products only when it has been brought down to you face to face by our
    courier service agent.
    Pay on Delivery Option Available to
    All States in Nigeria

    Here’s How to Order for Your own Mascum Herbal Pride & MK OIL at a Discount Price today

    Depending on the product that you are ordering for…

    *If you are ordering for only “Mascum Herbal Pride”… indicate the code MASCUM in your text message…

    *If you are ordering for only “MK Enlargement Oil”… indicate it “MK OIL” in your text message…

    *If you want to order for the 2 products together… text “Mascum AND MK OIL”…

    MASCUM ONLY – N15,000

    MK OIL ONLY – N13,000

    MASCUM AND MK OIL – N22,000

    Here’s what to send to us…

    Text the CODE with the following information below…

    1. Your Full Name
    2. Your Phone Number
    3. Delivery Address

    Send This Information as a text message to 08131957087

    Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

    You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

    DELIVERY TIME        

    Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

    Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know what’s inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

    Option 2

    If you live in Lagos, or nearby, you can also walk into our marketing department office to pick up the products.

    You will meet our team ready to give you these products at same price…

    That is you Pay at our office, and get it instantly

    Vantagesoft Marketing Enterprises

    Block B, Suite 9, Primal Tek Plaza, Beside ECO centre,
    by Mokola Bus stop, opposite Gowon Estate Market,
    Egbeda-Idimu road, Egbeda, Lagos.

    or

    Suite 3B, First Floor, Shopping plaza beside NNPC Filling station,
    Ilo awela road, opposite Toll Gate Bus stop, ota
    off Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

    (Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm)

    Customer support line: 08131957087

    Let me ask you this question:

    Are you still suffering from these embarassing problem of having small manhood that makes women run away from you or even deny you from having sex with them?

    Then I recommend you should get the 2-in-1 solution Mascum and Mk oil to transform your sex life starting from today!

    Click Here to Get the Mascum Herbal Pride that made me last extra 25minutes in bed with my woman!

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    Follow the instructions below to order for the products and get it at your doorstep within 2 – 4days.

    You will pay for the products only when it has been brought
    down to you face to face by our courier service agent.
    Pay on Delivery Option Available to All States in Nigeria

    Here’s How to Order for Your own Mascum Herbal Pride & MK OIL at a Discount Price today

    Depending on the product that you are ordering for…

    *If you are ordering for only “Mascum Herbal Pride”… indicate the code MASCUM in your text message…

    *If you are ordering for only “MK Enlargement Oil”… indicate it “MK OIL” in your text message…

    *If you want to order for the 2 products together… text “Mascum AND MK OIL”…

    MASCUM ONLY – N15,000

    MK OIL ONLY – N13,000

    MASCUM AND MK OIL – N22,000

    Here’s what to send to us…

    Text the CODE with the following information below…

    1. Your Full Name
    2. Your Phone Number
    3. Delivery Address

    Send This Information as a text message to 08131957087

    Please Note: Your address Must Include Local Government and State. Detailed Enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

    You will get a SMS and Call from us within 24 hours to confirm your Order Before we Parcel It Across to You.

    DELIVERY TIME        

    Once we received your order, and your details are correct, you will receive an sms or call confirmation from us. Your products will then be sent to our courier service partner and the items should get to you within 2-5 Days.

    Note: The product will be packaged discreetly and no one else will know what’s inside, and every other information will be kept private and 100% confidential.

    Here’s full details of how to order now and Get the Mascum & MK oil within a few days at your doorstep

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    We both know the truth that millions of Nigerian men suffer from this bad situation of having a small manhood size that cannot penetrate a woman but hide in shame and silence.

    Don’t wait until the situation gets out of hand and your wife or fiancée leaves you for another man that can satisfy her.

    You have the opportunity to get these 2 products now at an affordable price and save yourself from this frustration.

    The mascum herbal pride and mk enlargement oil has worked for over 1,300 Nigerian men and they have wonderful testimonies to give about it. It will definitely work for you too.

    No side effects of any kind when using both products.

    Get the 2 products at the discount price today before its sold out

    http://naturalhealthcure.com.ng/mkinfo

    Yours,

    Dave Taidi – 08131957087

     

     

     

     

  • Customs seizes another 27 exotic vehicles, contrabands in Lagos

    Customs seizes another 27 exotic vehicles, contrabands in Lagos

    …Arrests 15 suspects

     

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone ‘ A’ Ikeja, Lagos has intercepted another 27 exotic vehicles, fake drugs and other items valued at N783.6million

    Fifteen smugglers, the Unit said, were arrested in connection with the seized items.

    The seized 27 exotic vehicles comprises of Toyota Prado, Toyata Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Mercedes Benz and other classic vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N228,215,429.1

    The vehicles, findings revealed, are 2007 and 2013 models.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos Monday, its Controller Mohammed Garba said, his officers also seized 145 sacks of 10kg each and 120 parcels of  1kg each of Indian hemp.

    The monetary value of the Indian hemp, the Controller said, is N72,960,000.

    Others contrabands intercepted by the officers and men of the unit were expired rice, frozen poultry, used tyres, used clothes and general merchandise.

    The Controller said the seizures were made between August 9 and 25, 2017.

    He listed other contraband intercepted within the period as including: 1, 237 of 50 kg bags of  rice valued at N15.2million; 137 bales of second hand clothing and lace material with DPV of N27million; 523 pieces of used tyres valued at N2.8 million.

    Others are 1,393 cartons of frozen poultry, one container marked FCIU 8437297 laden with used cars and other contraband, one container number, TCLU 178477/5 laden with 308 used truck tyres and tubes and. 858 cartons of rechargeable inverter battery packed in container marked PCIU 1884380.

    Garba added that the anti-smuggling unit recovered N252,1million from duty payments and demand notices on general goods intercepted outside the seaports, airports and borders.

    Garba said that the amount was realised from wrong classification, transfer of value and shortchange in duty payment.

    The Indian hemp and the fake drugs  were handed over at the event, to the official of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively.

     

  • NDLEA impounds 39,224,109kg drugs in Kano

    NDLEA impounds 39,224,109kg drugs in Kano

    •Agency arrests 768 suspects 

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State has seized 39,224.109kg of assorted drugs in the last one year, it was learnt yesterday.

    Commandant Hamza Umar, who spoke during the 2017 United Nations drug-free day, themed: “Listen First”, said the seized drugs included Cannabis Sativa (6,451.976kg); psychotropic substances (3,2715.166kg); cocaine (358.3g); heroin (8.5g); methamphetamine (31.8kg) and ephedrine (24.8kg).

    According to him, over 768 suspects were arrested, of which 505 were counselled, 68 rehabilitated and 240 convicted.

    He said: “The drugs are found there, the abusers and dealers are stationed there, while the resources to fight this monster are also based there. Therefore, the support and involvement of the various groups in the community is necessary.

    “Having reviewed our arrest and seizure statistics from January to June, we noticed a decrease in supply and consumption of the class “A” drugs, otherwise known as hard drugs (cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa).

    “Ironically, we noticed an increase in the use of syrups and pentazocine injection. The command noticed there is serious increase in drug-related crimes, and has taken necessary and needed steps to curtail it.

    “It is also important to mention that the government has raised a 16-man committee to coordinate plans and strategies aimed at curtailing the trend.”

  • Prison inmates get drugs, clothing materials

    The Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has donated drugs, clothing materials and toiletries to inmates of Federal Prison, Lafia.

    Presenting the items, Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Abubakar Nalaraba, said the gesture was to enable the inmates benefit from the blessings of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    Nalaraba said the gift was also in response to an earlier visit to the board by the Nasarawa State Comptroller of Prisons, where he solicited for partnership.

    “We are partnering with the authorities of the Prison Service in the state to enhance the welfare of inmates,” Nalaraba said.

    Nasarawa state Deputy Superintendent of Prisons Obeten Otor, who represented Mr Comptroller of Prisons Ekwere Ekanem, thanked the board for the gesture.

    Otor appealed to other public-spirited individuals and organisations, to also assist the inmates.

  • Task force destroys Indian hemp, drugs worth millions

    •115 held in Mushin, Fadeyi raids

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has destroyed weeds suspected to be Indian hemp worth millions of naira at the Olusosun Dump Site.

    The task force Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), burnt the illegal drugs, including codeine, Indian hemp and others.

    A statement by the task force said Magistrate Tosin Ojuromi gave the order on Friday following the prosecution of 36 miscreants and hoodlums arrested during a fracas between Alamutu and Akala-Elegba boys at Idi-oro, Mushin, Lagos.

    Egbeyemi, it said, led his men to arrest another 115 miscreants including two women during an over-night operation around Fadeyi, Akala and Idi-oro between 1:30am and 6am on Friday.

    The statement said preliminary investigation showed that a suspect, ‘Lanre Olowojobi (a.k.aPumpy) allegedly killed and raped women around Mushin.

    In the 115 suspects, 114 were arraigned before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Oshodi Mobile Court on Friday. They were charged with ‘belonging to unlawful society, conducts likely to cause breach of peace and disorderly manner without visible means of livelihood.

    They pleaded guilty.

    Magistrate Owolabi sentenced them to one year imprisonment each with N70,000 fine option.

    The case of Olowojobi, 37, from Ipoti Ekiti State was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

    The task force claimed that Olowojobi said the pump action guns and other dangerous weapons used during any fracas around Idi-Oro, Fadeyi and Akala in Mushin were kept by their leader who he described as a branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

  • Gaidam joins Nafdac to fight fake drugs

    Gaidam joins Nafdac to fight fake drugs

    The war against fake drugs has   received a boost in Yobe State, with Governor Ibrahim Gaidam directing the  Commissioner for Land to provide land for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to build its offices.

    He asked the Head of Service to provide office accommodation for the agency in the two senatorial districts to reduce the logistic challenges  facing NAFDAC.

    Gaidam, who promised to provide a vehicle to the agency to assist it in patrolling the state, said the donations were in demonstration of  the government’s commitment to assisting NAFDAC to rid the state  of drug misuse and poor handling of pesticides and agro-chemicals.

    He made the donations during a visit by the NAFDAC’s Acting Director-General, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, in his office.

    Mrs Oni was on the visit to inform the governor of the agency’s campaign on “Rational use of controlled medicines, safe handling of chemicals and responsible use of pesticides and agricultural chemicals” in the state.

    The campaign, Mrs Oni said, would empower people with the right knowledge in drug misuse and proper handling of agro-chemicals.

    While declaring the sensitisation workshop open, Gaidam described the initiative as a bold step by the NAFDAC to enlighten the public about the dangers of irrational use of drugs, pesticides and chemicals.

    He said: “This way, the public will be kept abreast of the unpleasant consequences for society if left unchecked.”

    Earlier, Mrs.  Oni, who presented the requests for land and accommodation to the governor, said the NAFDAC’s office, a warehouse and a laboratory complex would be built on the land, adding that they would enhance the performance of the agency in the state via shortening the registration and bringing the agency closer to the grassroots.

    Mrs. Oni said the enlightenment was one of the strategies deployed by NAFDAC to fight substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome and spurious regulated products.

    “We will continue to sensitise the public on the public health implications of these substandard, falsified and unwholesome regulated products and the efforts of NAFDAC in tackling this ugly menace,” she said.

    She added that collaboration was essential to building sustainable strategies against these problems in addition to other challenges, such as drug abuse as well as misapplication of pesticides and herbicides, which have led to the rejection of these value-added agricultural products in the international market.

    According to her, the health implication caused by this challenge informed the efforts of NAFDAC to educate farmers, herders and other handlers on the appropriate and safe use of pesticides, and develop Guidelines and Standard Operating  Procedure for Chemical Regulation and Control to address emerging issues.

    She added: “Risk assessment and Field Trials of fertiliser have been introduced for effective control and management of agrochemicals.”

    Mrs. Oni implored Nigerians to continue to support NAFDAC in the fight against the proliferation of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome food and other substandard or spurious regulated products.

  • Over 70% of drugs in circulation is fake, says firm

    More than 70 per cent of is fake, the Executive Director, Fidson Health Care Plc, Bola Adebayo, has said.

    Adebayo regretted that the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has failed to curtail the circulation of fake drugs.

    He also blamed the situation on the abscence of genuine drugs manufacturers in the hinterland, as many  are concentrated in big cities.

    He told The Nation that the gap created by lack of genuine manufacturers in the hinterland has led to the over-bearing presence of counterfeit drugs in villages and semi-urban centres in the country.

    On the challenges faced by his members, he said before now manufacturers literarily ran out of raw materials as a result of forex scarcity.

    He, however, praised the apex bank for bending backwards recently by giving them concessionary rate to keep their factories running. He said this has prevented what would have resulted in mass closure of factories.

    Adebayo confirmed that most drug firms are encouraging the Federal Government’s Backward Integration Policy by insisting that they buy pet bottles and glasses locally.

    On the challenges facing the sector, he recalled that they spend over 50 per cent of their working capital on electricity generation.

    “Electricity is not available and where it is available it is not usable. We provide our water, security, roads, access to market and debts from both State and Federal Governments,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has concluded plans to hold a forum on: Improving Access to Medicines: The Imperatives of Local Manufacturing and Effective Supply Chain Management.

    The Executive Secretary of PMG, Mr. Obi Adigwe. said that the group, with about 120 members, was desirous of bringing high quality, affordable, sustainable pharmaceuticals closer to the people.

    He called for a concept that will guarantee medicine security and sustainable access to the people in the hinterland.

    Adigwe said there is need for the support of Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN), which represents the country’s foremost private sector platform.

    The platform is led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Jim Ovia, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede  and others. It has the target to save a million lives every year through various innovations including the setting up of the Africa Resource Centre for Supply Chain (ARC Nigeria).

    Adigwe said the forum hopes to deepen the debate regarding the most effective and efficient strategies to ensure sustainable access to affordable, high quality medicines for Nigerians.

    CEO, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, Mr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, regretted that Nigeria has a complex healthcare system and pledged the preparedness of his organisation to optimise the nation’s innate abilities.

    He identified the challenges to include fiscal policies, taxes, regulatory agencies; supply chain, which has made it almost impossible for the majority of the people in the rural areas to have access to quality medication.

    Umar-Sadiq called for the reorientation of sovereignty and ownership by the Nigerian government and policy makers to move the country away from being a dumping ground for all manner of products.

    He said: “We should take the issue of health care for the majority of the citizenry as a priority and that of national security. The idea is to prioritise sovereignty over aids and grant.

    “Why should we allow our country to be a testing ground for all manner of vaccines and drugs? What our manufacturers need is encouragement and the provision of an enabling environment with the required and competitive infrastructure.”

  • Kogi and menace of expired drugs

    SIR: In as much as Nigerians across the divide have given National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) a pass mark in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs in Nigeria, little or nothing have been done by the agency as regard ridding the drug market of “expired” drugs.  The expiration date of pharmaceuticals specifies the date the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug. It is a fact that most drugs get expired even before their expiry date. This is caused by poor storage facilities, poor transportation network, extreme weather and climate and environmental factors. It is important to keep in mind that the expiry date of a particular drug was determined through testing of previously unopened products, stored in its original container and under a standard weather and climatic condition of temperature. Once you open a bottle, or transfer it to another container (like a prescription vial), the manufacturer’s expiry date is no longer reliable.

    In Kogi State, owners of local drug shops and vendors are smiling to the banks to the detriment of the health of the public. Mobile drug vendors commonly seen in the various farm settlements across the state where the level of literacy is relatively low take advantage of the people to sell expired drugs. The inability of government to provide ample and the right drugs in dispensaries across the state has created a lacuna which the vendors are taking an advantage.

    Considering the harmful effects of “expired” drugs, NAFDAC in partnership with the Kogi State Ministry of Health should urgently beam its searchlight on the activities of the local drug shops popularly called “chemists” and mobile drug vendors who handle and store drugs in ways that compromise the efficacy and potency of the medicines, making them dangerous for use even before the expiry date. Pharmaceutics are meant to be kept and stored under a certain range of temperature and climatic conditions which are not always adhered strictly to by the “chemists” and vendors. Even though the expiry date inscribed by the manufacturer of these medicines states otherwise, one may not be wrong to conclude that about 80 percent of drugs in the local drug shops are already expired and therefore dangerous to health.

    Because of their spread and proximity to the rural people, most Kogites patronize the “chemists” and mobile vendors; the fact that their drugs are relatively cheaper compared to the ones of the standard and sophisticated pharmaceutical stores makes them the destination of choice for low income earners and the poor. NAFDAC and the state Ministry of Health should constantly send out a task force to checkmate activities of mobile drug vendors and to flush out, sanction and close down any chemist which fails to adhere strictly to standard in the storage of drugs. The health and wellbeing of poor Kogites are as important as that of the rich. A healthy state is a wealthy one.

     

    • Hussain Obaro,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • Matriculation: Varsity warns students against cultism, drugs

    The Plateau State University, Bokkos, on Wednesday, warned its 996 new students against cultism, drugs and theft.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Doknan Sheni, gave this warning at the matriculation for the 2016/2017 session in Bokkos.

    “You should count yourselves lucky to be matriculated today because out of no fewer than 10, 000 candidates, who applied to this university, 966 were successful and admitted.

    “As our students, you are implored to study hard and be disciplined, especially by shunning all social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, hard drugs, drunkenness, rape, and other misconducts that might earn you expulsion’’.

    According to him, the university’s motto is: “Knowledge, Diligence and Integrity

    Sheni said the institution had a culture of sticking to its principles and norms, which were in conformity to global best practices and the drive for the achievement of standards among Nigerian universities.

    “You must, therefore, as a matter of fact, choose to conduct yourselves responsibly, to justify the confidence reposed in you by the admission offered to you’’.

    Sheni said the university would teach them about ethics and good conduct besides their education programmes, to qualify and be worthy in character and learning.

    He said the management of the institution was committed to bequeathing a legacy of a functional, effective and efficient university system, comparable to other highly-rated institutions in the world.

    The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had scored the first convocation of the university 95 per cent.

    He advised Local Governments, wealthy individuals and philanthropists to invest in the university by building hostels, hotels or motels that could enable them to generate revenue.

    “Besides our students and staff, who are staying outside the university campus, our guests, who come to attend our functions can be accommodated there.

    “I am ready to give land to any developer, especially the LGs, to build their hostels that will be named after the councils, which will continue to generate funds for them,’’ he assured.