The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says it will intensify its clamp-down on unregistered herbal drug peddlers to check their activities in the South-East geopolitical zone.
The Zonal Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Fora Tatama, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday.
Tatama said that the agency had taken note of the increased activities of herbal drug peddlers and sellers in most towns in the zone.
He said that the agency had marshaled out plans to effectively tackle the menace.
“We have carried out raids on them on a constant routine before now, and we seized and arrested some of them for their unwholesome health practice, which is injurious to the health of Nigerians.
“Most of the peddled herbal drugs are unapproved by NAFDAC, so it is not permitted to be sold or advertised in any guise to Nigerians.
“However, with what we have noticed so far, we have marshaled out a plan to increase the clamp-down from all fronts as well as putting stringent punitive measures in place in order to totally check this menace,’’ he said.
The zonal coordinator also appealed to members of the public to avail the agency information about activities of drug, food and cosmetic products counterfeiters within their neighbourhoods.
“The fight to protect the health of all Nigerians is a responsibility of every patriotic and health-concerned citizen.
“Our offices and personnel are always available to receive complaints and inquiries concerning any drug, food and cosmetic products.
“People should also report any suspicious drug, food and cosmetic products, as well as any adverse effect caused by the use of any of these products to NAFDAC offices and personnel,’’ he said.
NAN reports that presently, unregistered herbal drug peddlers advertised their products through very loud speakers in the neighbourhoods and bus stops in Enugu.
The unregistered herbal drug peddlers carry out their activities during the early hours of the day and at evening time when workers are returning from work. (NAN)