Fake products: NAFDAC solicits collaboration with Abakaliki traders

THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Coordinator in Ebonyi State, Richard Anichukwu, has called on traders at Abakiliki for stronger collaboration in the war against fake drugs and food products in the state.

Anichukwu made the call on Thursday at an enlightenment to reawaken the consciousness of the public to NAFDAC regulations at the Abakpa Main Market.

The NAFDAC coordinator said that the exercise was aimed at drumming public support through enlightenment and sensitisation against the dangers of dealing in and consumption of unwholesome NAFDAC regulated products.

According to him, the collaboration with members would enhance the process of checking the influx of fake, adulterated drugs, food and beverages and chemical products injurious to humans.

“We are here today to seek the collaboration and cooperation of members of the main market and we believe that the synergy will enhance effective control of influx of unwholesome products in the market.

“The exercise is aimed at reawakening the consciousness of members of the public especially those who deal in drugs, chemical, beverages and other food products in the market.

“The market has its internal tax force who enforces discipline and regulates behaviour of members and the synergy will enable us achieve so much with very little cost.

“We can only enter the market to enforce compliance only when the collaboration fails, but with the response we received, I am optimistic that we can count on the support of the market officials in this

regard, ” he said.

He explained that everybody in the market was a potential consumer and added that the agency was interested in ensuring the safety of consumers and urged members to report promptly any one found dealing in unwholesome products to the agency.

“If any fake or unwholesome regulated product is taken by any of our dear one here and the consumer suffers any ailment from it, one or two persons here will also bear the economic loss of treating the sick

person.

The secretary of the market association, Emeka Anikwe, who spoke on behalf of the traders union, described the exercise as a milestone in the war against fake and adulterated food and drugs related products.