The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has implored patent medicine dealers to shun practices that expose them to scammers and negatively impact their customer base.
The NAFDAC Coordinator in Abia State, Dr. Ejike Nnamani, gave the advice on Wednesday during a sensitisation programme in Aba.
He noted that when practitioners act against the rules and engage in lawless acts, they will begin to hide from NAFDAC, adding, “The act exposes them to the menace of fake NAFDAC staff.”
According to him, such practitioners, who hide from NAFDAC, will serve as meals for scammers because they will not be bold enough to verify from the agency if their staff were actually those on such duty
He, therefore, urged them to stop unlawful practices that predispose them to hide from NAFDAC and make them prone to those parading themselves as NAFDAC officials.
Nnamani also said unlawful medicine practices mark its practitioners out as dealers of ineffective drugs, which goes on to reduce their customer base.
He urged them to desist from selling fake drugs, noting that they contribute to the death of patients to a remarkable extent.
“The effects of fake drugs include treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, loss of confidence in the healthcare system, adverse drug effects, and even death.
“It also results in the loss of interest by pharmaceutical companies to innovate and engage in research and development of new drugs. They also push people into moving embracing alternative medical systems that are less effective,” he said.
The NAFDAC coordinator stressed that the benefits of wholesome practices, which include working with NAFDAC, would boost their businesses.
Mrs. Comfort Anaba, a patent medicine dealer in Ndiegoro 1 Zone, Aba South Local Government Area, expressed delight for being part of the sensitisation.
“I learnt that I should take a record of expired drugs, keep my shop clean, and store drugs safely according to directions to maintain their efficacy,” she said.
Another participant, Oliver Olelewe, the Chairman, National Association of Patent Medicine Dealers, Over-Rail 2 Branch, Aba, promised that the dealers would use the ideas shared by NAFDAC to the benefit of their patients and business.
He urged the agency to always come to their aid whenever they need assistance.
Olelewe thanked NAFDAC for organising the programme, noting that it was very enriching and appealed for it to be held more regularly so as to enhance their practice.
NAN
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