In a decisive move to protect public health and safety, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ,NAFDAC, has confiscated expired but revalidated pharmaceuticals valued at N15 million from a pharmacy in Jos.
Additionally, unregistered alcoholic beverages worth over N30 million were seized from shops in Plateau and the nearby Bukuru metropolis.
The Director of NAFDAC North Central Zone, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, revealed that the agency had received reports about the pharmacy engaging in the sale of expired drugs. Further investigations uncovered a disturbing practice of tampering with expiration date markings on pharmaceuticals to extend their shelf lives.
During the raid, a room in the pharmacy was discovered, filled with drugs stripped of their original expiration dates, awaiting the imprint of new dates. The seized pharmaceuticals included both oral and injectable medications.
As part of its regulatory actions, NAFDAC has sealed the implicated pharmacy and arrested the pharmacist responsible, who failed to produce the current license to practice as a pharmacist and the current operational license for the pharmacy.
Mr. Mohammed cautioned the public against purchasing pharmaceuticals from unregistered pharmacies, emphasizing the importance of reporting concerns about drugs promptly to the nearest NAFDAC office or through a dedicated telephone number: 08033034666.
Furthermore, he urged consumers of drinks and packaged foods to always check for NAFDAC registration numbers on products, emphasizing the need for vigilance in ensuring the safety and authenticity of consumable items.
NAFDAC’s decisive actions underscore its commitment to maintaining high standards in the pharmaceutical and food industries, safeguarding the health and well-being of the public.
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