Tuesday 3 July 2018

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 . ”

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