NAFDAC, UNIBEN, Pharmacists Intensify Campaign Against Drug, Substance Abuse
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advocated for security-tightened borders to checkmate influx of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country.
The agency said all land borders, including Onne and Tincan Island ports should remain shut as entry points for pharmaceuticals.
In a similar vein, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Faraday Orumwense, has harped on the urgent need to address drug abuse on campuses.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, who gave the advice at the weekend at a symposium on “Problems of Drug/Substance Abuse organised by UNIBEN in Benin City, Edo State, attributed abuse of hard drug among youths to lack of due diligence to ensure the integrity of the distribution chain, which according to her, has led to illicit channels and to traders with little or no knowledge of the public health consequences of codeine-containing products.
The NAFDAC boss, represented by Edo State co-ordinator of the agency, Esther Itua, decried reports of clearance of drugs at unapproved entry points.
Orumwense, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Prof. Pius Irihogbe, said there is urgent need to address drug abuse in campuses, adding: “Life is all about human beings and their existence. The more we come together to exchange ideas, break new grounds on campaign against this life-threatening menace, the better we shall be.”
Besides, pharmacists, under the aegis of Board of Fellows (BoF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), have launched a five-year campaign against drug abuse to curtail the adverse effect of the scourge.
Chairman, BoF, Chiedu Mordi, said this during the 2018 yearly meeting and award ceremony of the pharmacists in Lagos.
NAFDAC DG, who spoke at the event, said the agency had engaged young pharmacists’ group to lead a nationwide campaign against drug abuse.
She charged the citizens to play an individual role in terms of nation building.
Also, President, PSN, Ahmed Yakasai, said: “I must appreciate the Director-General, NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, for using the young pharmacists group nationwide in fighting against drug abuse. This is surely the way to safeguard the lives of our youths as they are great resources for nation-building.”
By: Michael Egbejule (Benin City) and Stanley Akpunonu (Lagos)
The Guardian News
