Bayelsa expresses concern about fake, adulterated drugs

• Published date: 02 February 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Bayelsa State Government has expressed concern about the growing menace of substandard and fake drugs being sold and consumed in the state.

Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo bared his mind on the development yesterday when Bayelsa State branch of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) of Nigeria visited him in his office at the Government House, Yenagoa.

He said pharmacists occupied a prime place in any fight targeted at curbing counterfeit drug distribution, lamenting that the predominance of patent medicine shops and outlets in the state encouraged the sale of inferior drugs to patients.

He advised members of ALPs to redouble efforts and partner their parent body, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and other statutory public agencies to take steps to address the problem.

Sen. Ewhrudjakpo said tackling the sale of counterfeit drugs and checking the indiscriminate sale of highly regulated, prescriptive and addictive drugs to the public must be taken seriously by the association and other stakeholders in the health sector.

He enjoined the Pharmaceutical Department of the Ministry of Health to carry out thorough inspection of drug stores before issuing out licences to prospective medicine dealers.

The deputy governor stressed the need for regular checks on already licensed drugstores and advised pharmacists to always uphold their ethical codes for the greater good of...