The Anambra State task force on counterfeit, fake drugs, and unwholesome processed food raided medicine stores at the popular Eke-Awka market in the state capital on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the raid, the State Chairman of the Taskforce, Pharm. Madike Obum Vincent said the raid was in accordance with the provisions of Section C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs, and Unwholesome Processed Foods Miscellaneous Provision Act of 1999.
He explained further that the affected stores were raided for the offence of selling unregistered drugs and for non-compliance with other regulatory standards.
According to Pharm. Vincent, who is also the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Anambra State Ministry of Health, the Taskforce is determined to make Awka metropolis a fake-drug-free city, which aligns with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a peaceful, secure, livable, and prosperous state in Nigeria.
“The essence of the exercise is to curb and eradicate the upsurge in fake drugs that are in circulation. People are unknowingly taking fake drugs/food supplements, and they are dying in their numbers every day.
“The Taskforce has the mandate to eradicate and curb the menace of fake and unwholesome products in Anambra. And I am assuring the people that after the raiding exercise, the circulated fake drugs in the state would be reduced to the barest minimum,” the chairman concluded.
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