The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a major operation to remove damaged drugs and other regulated products from markets in Borno State.
This comes in the wake of the devastating floods that recently hit the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere local government areas. The severe floods affected more than 2,000,000 people, causing widespread destruction in the region.
Many pharmacies, drug stores, and businesses dealing with regulated products were submerged, raising concerns about the safety of medications and other goods sold in the markets.
Following the disaster, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, issued an urgent directive for the immediate removal of all substandard and potentially falsified medicines from the markets in Maiduguri.
The goal is to prevent the circulation of any products that may have been compromised due to water damage, which could pose serious health risks to the public.
In a press conference held in Maiduguri on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s North-East Zonal Director, Kenneth Azikiwe, explained the agency’s proactive steps.
He emphasized that NAFDAC is focusing on sections of the markets and areas where regulated products are produced, especially those that were most severely impacted by floodwaters.
“Our top priority is to address any issues that may have arisen from the consumption of contaminated products,” said Azikiwe. “NAFDAC has strict guidelines for the safe disposal of compromised goods, and we are taking all necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of the people of Maiduguri.”
The agency has teamed up with the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Resources, as well as other key stakeholders, to ensure that affected individuals and businesses receive appropriate compensation.
Officers from Borno, Yobe, and neighboring states are collaborating to conduct thorough inspections of the markets and to identify any further risks.
NAFDAC’s swift and decisive action highlights its commitment to safeguarding public health, particularly during times of crisis.
The agency remains dedicated to ensuring that only safe, quality-regulated products are available to the people of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, despite the challenges posed by the recent floods.
Azikiwe, speaking during the press conference, reiterated the importance of removing damaged goods from circulation and ensuring that no further harm comes to those affected by the disaster.
