The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the risks of purchasing drugs from hawkers.
NAFDAC emphasized that most drugs sold by these hawkers are counterfeit, substandard, and expired, stating that those selling such medicines are putting lives in danger.
During the official flag-off of NAFDAC’s media sensitization workshop on the hazards of drug hawking and the use of calcium carbides to ripen fruits, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, expressed her concerns.
She highlighted that the prevalence of drug hawking poses a significant challenge to the healthcare system in the country and underscores NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to eliminating this illicit trade.
She said, “Many drug hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of death who expose essential and life-saving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather which degrade the active ingredients of the medicine and turn them to poisons thus endangering human lives.
“Most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-illiterate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety, and efficacy requirement of regulated medicines.
“Prescription drugs are also sold by the itinerant drug hawkers who also hold consultation, recommend and prescribe medicines to their gullible patients.”
As per her statement, the Director-General mentioned that drug hawkers play a significant role in distributing narcotic medicines to criminal networks, including armed bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, and armed robbers.
Furthermore, she emphasized that drug hawkers pose a substantial threat to national security.
“Drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets, motor parks or open markets just like any other article of trade.
“I wish to warn that any drug hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted, will face a jail term, and our Enforcement Officers are currently carrying out synchronised nationwide operation. No offender will be spared from facing the full wrath of the law.
“In this regard, we solicit the cooperation and support of all other Law Enforcement Agencies, Nigerian Journalists, and well-meaning Nigerians in riding the country of this harmful and shameful practice,” she said.