Subpar antimalarial, antibiotics in circulation, NAFDAC warns

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a warning regarding the dangerous public health threat posed by the sale of counterfeit and subpar medications in Nigeria.

“We are maximising efforts to curb the menace of substandard and falsified medicines in the state,” warned Bala Mshelia, Director of NAFDAC’s North West Zone, at a community sensitisation workshop in Kaduna on Friday.

Mshelia found particular targeted pharmaceuticals, such as the antimalarials Fansidar 25/500 mg and Combiart 20/120 mg, the antibiotics OHEAL Ampicillin and Cloxacillin Capsules, and additional drugs for diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle disorders.

“The fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation. It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public,” Mshelia emphasised.

He called on everyone to take up the cause of making sure pharmaceuticals are safe to use.

“As we proceed with this workshop, let us remember that the fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation.

“It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public. Together, we can create a future where every medicine on the shelf is safe, genuine, and beneficial to the health of our communities,” he said.

Source