Fake drug: Gowon, Jega seek support for regulatory agencies

Former Head of State, general Yakubu Gowon and immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, NEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega last week in Lagos urged Nigerian pharmacists to assist regulatory agencies in the war against drug faking, and substandard products in the country.

The duo spoke during the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) award night in Lagos.
According to them, although the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC was doing quite much there is need for practitioners to support them.

The former head of state who was given an honorary fellow of NAPharm, at the event where former INEC Chairman was also decorated with the Academy’s lifetime achievement award alongside induction of 22 pharmacists as fellows of the academy for their outstanding performances described the award as a rare honour.

Gowon said the practitioners must rededicate themselves to the fight against faking and substandard products all around the country.
Noting that the situation was not peculiar to Nigeria, he said, NAFDAC’s relentless efforts over the years is yet to succeed “as perpetrators are more determined and very much in the unfortunate business.

“Drug faking is worth about $7b globally every year, of which the third world receives over 80 per cent of the faked products.  Our pharmacists must join hands with NAFDAC to really address this problem. The battle is very difficult but if we all are determined, then we can rid the country of faking and faked products,” he stated.

Corroborating his views, Prof. Attahiru Jega expressed worry over the growing phenomenon of drug abuse, where prescription drugs are now freely bought over-the-counter.
Jega who dedicated his award to INEC staff, said that is not unusually to now see youths, political tugs and party vanguards getting hooked on codeine among other opioid pain medications that are strictly prescription drugs in other countries.

He said the academy, as trailblazer of the profession, must be concerned not only about ethical conducts but also proper punishment of practitioners that are bringing the profession to disrepute.
“I urge the academy and the pharmaceutical profession to pay attention to the way and manner in which prescription drugs are being sold over the counter and these are doing a lot of damage to our youths in particular because some of these drugs are addictive.

Speaking, President of Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, explained that Jega merited the prestigious Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award for his personality that stood tall during the 2015 general elections.

Continuing, he noted that the academy has successfully brought together senior pharmacy professionals who have distinguished themselves in the corporate world, in academia and public service.
He tasked inductees to improve on pharmacy and ensure that it gets “better and not bitter.”