Expert advises stakeholders on scourge of fake drugs
A health expert, Pharmacist Kunle Ashaolu has advised all stakeholders in the heath sector to be alive to their responsibilities in order to tame the scourge of fake drugs.
He said fake drugs are deadly and using them can lead to untimely death or eternal regret for the users.
The Former Commissioner in Ondo State, stated this while speaking with Journalists in Akure, the state capital.
He noted that fake drugs are not only associated with Nigeria, but a global problem, stressing that countries like China, United States of America, India, United Kingdom have their own fake drugs but, mechanism were put in place to detect them and sanction those involved.
Asaolu added that intake of fake drugs has debilitating effect on the health and the consequence of intake can be everlasting.
“Fake drugs problem is a global one and to tame the monster, all stakeholders must be involved. The enforcement of the law against fake drugs must be total. The importation must be guided against and enforcement by the agency on the issue must be total.
“The Ministry of Health, NAFDAC and Pharmacist associations must all join hands together to fight fake drugs in the land.
“Again, the people using fake drugs must join hands too to say no. If they should stop patronizing the sellers, it would go a long way to stop the situation,” he said.
He posited that patients should patronize appropriate Pharmacists that know much about drug prescription to curb untimely death in the society.
Asaolu, who is also the 31st President of Akure Owena Lions Club disclosed that the club will in December attend to over 200 people in need in the society.
According to him, those that will be attended to will include market women and men, children with cancer and those hungry will be fed.
He added that the focal point of the club will be a continuous exercise as some people with eye defect will be given glasses after conducting a test.
He said further that those with diabetes will be screened and drugs will be administered to as many as are possible.
YOMI AYELESO, Akure