NAFDAC warns that drug hawkers are counterfeit, are “merchants of death.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned Nigerians not to buy drugs from drug peddlers.

According to the agency, the majority of the drugs sold by hawkers are counterfeit, substandard, or expired, and the sellers are death merchants.

Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, stated this on Tuesday at the official start of the agency’s media sensitisation workshop on the dangers of drug hawking and the ripening of fruits with calcium carbides.

Prof Adeyeye stated that the menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to the country’s healthcare delivery system, emphasizing the agency’s steadfast determination to eradicate the illicit trade.

“Many drug peddlers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of death, exposing essential and life-saving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather, which degrades the active ingredients and turns them into poisons, endangering human lives,” she said.

“The majority of drugs sold by illiterate and semi-illiterate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard, or expired, and thus fail to meet the quality, safety, and efficacy requirements of regulated medicines.”

“Prescription drugs are also sold by itinerant drug hawkers, who also hold consultations, recommend, and prescribe medications to their trusting patients.”

Drug peddlers, she claims, are also major distributors and suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as armed bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, and armed robbers.

She stated that drug traffickers pose a serious threat to national security.

“Drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities that should not be sold on the streets, in parking lots, or in open markets like any other item of trade.”

“I would like to warn that any drug hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and sentenced, and our Enforcement Officers are currently conducting a synchronized nationwide operation.” No offender will be spared the full force of the law.

“In this regard, we seek the assistance and support of all other Law Enforcement Agencies, Nigerian Journalists, and well-meaning Nigerians in ridding the country of this harmful and shameful practice,” she said.