‘Fake drugs threat to MDG’s infant mortality reduction’

Counterfeit drugs have been identified as major threat to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 targeted at reducing infant mortality and improved maternal health in the country.
A medical expert, Dr Christable Okoye, disclosed this in Onitsha, Anambra State at a seminar organized for patent medicine dealers by the Nigerian Ambassador, an NGO, in conjunction with Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, NDLEA and NOA.
She regretted that production and importation of counterfeit drugs was the bane of Nigeria problem particularly with its effect on the poor masses who depend largely on drug market.
“Counterfeit drugs pose great dangers to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals 4,5 and 6 which hopes for a reduction in infant mortality, improved maternal health and combating human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and other diseases,” she said.
Speaking on the theme, “Counterfeit and unwholesome drugs not a substitute”, Okoye, who is the Director of the NGO, decried loss of public confidence in the medicine and health sector occasioned by incessant cases of mortality and mobility.

According to her, there might be more fake than genuine drugs in circulation, stressing that the seminar was aimed at highlighting factors contributing to the increase of fake and counterfeit drugs.
She said, “Major factor contributing to the prevalence of counterfeit drugs include ineffective enforcement of existing laws, non-professional drug business, lose control systems, high cost of genuine drugs, greed, ignorance, corruption, illegal drug importation and chaotic drug distribution network, among many others.”
Also speaking, state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Charles Nwaoji, described fake, adulterated and unwholesome drugs as “ill wind that blows no one good.”
He commended Chrisatabel International for her courage, advocacy and total commitment to save lives.
Responding, chairman of Ochanja Patent Proprietors and Medicine Dealers Union,
Bonface Muonwike thanked the organizers of the seminar, pledging to put into practice what they learnt.
He said, “We already have a task force that would be mobilized to checkmate the involvement of our members in buying and selling of such drugs in the market.”