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By Precious Akutamadu
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated a task force in Rivers State to combat the circulation of counterfeit and fake drugs, as well as unwholesome processed foods.
The task force was inaugurated by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
Adeyeye was represented by the Director of NAFDAC’s South-South Zone, Mr Chukwuma Oligbo.
She said the task force comprised officials from NAFDAC, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Police Force.
The d-g explained that the objective of inaugurating the task force was to enforce regulatory standards, coordinate surveillance activities, and remove illegal and substandard products from circulation.
She emphasised the urgent need to confront the growing threat posed by counterfeit medicines and unsafe packaged foods, noting that such products endangered lives and undermine healthcare outcomes.
According to her, the task force will conduct coordinated market inspections, rapid product testing, and transparent reporting to the Chairman of the Federal Task Force.
She added that members of the public will have access to hotlines, community forums, and online platforms to report suspicious products.
“The mandate of the taskforce is to enforce standards, coordinate intelligence-driven surveillance and remove illegal products from circulation.
“It will also support legitimate manufactures and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators.”
Adeyeye said that the task force brings together key regulatory, security, public health and community stakeholders working in a unified structure to ensure strong enforcement.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, said the task force derived its legal authority from an Act of the National Assembly.
According to him, the Act empowers the task force to seize and seal premises suspected of dealing in counterfeit products.
Iluyomade, who is also the Director of the Enforcement and Investigation Directorate of NAFDAC, outlined the functions of the task force to include the seizure of any drug or poison displayed for sale in premises not duly licensed for that purpose.
“With reasonable suspicion, the task force has the power to break into any facility and seize counterfeit, fake, banned or forged products, as well as any regulated processed food, poison or drug suspected to be fake.
“The premises may also be sealed if necessary,” he said.
Also speaking, the NAFDAC State Coordinator in Rivers State, Mr Emmanuel Onogwu, said the task force would support compliance with national regulations, deter and disrupt illicit trade, protect consumers, and promote accountability across the supply chain.
In her remarks, the Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Chidinma Oreh, said the menace of counterfeit and fake drugs, as well as unwholesome processed foods, posed a serious threat to public health, patient safety, and the integrity of the healthcare system.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Mr Halliday Charles, said the government would not turn a blind eye to such threats, noting that the illegal activities undermined genuine healthcare providers, endanger lives, and erode public confidence in health services.
The highlight of the inauguration was the administration of the oath of office to members of the state task force by Mr Jumbo Washington of the NAFDAC Enforcement and Investigation Directorate, Asaba, Delta state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
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