Agency to set up mobile testing laboratories to check fake drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is set to introduce mobile testing laboratories to curb circulation of fake and counterfeit products in the country.

The Acting Director-General NAFDAC, Mrs Yetunde Oni, disclosed this on Monday, November 28, at a stakeholders meeting in Minna.

She added that the laboratory will be built on a mobile truck.

"The mobile van will be able to move from town to the hinterland to test packaged water, drugs, farm produce and other items in order to safeguard the health of the nation," she said.

Oni, who was represented by Dr Abubakar Jimoh, Director, Special Duties of the agency, said that "we have being to China to see how the mobile testing van was being operated.

"So we are making arrangements and considering our terrain to see how it will work in Nigeria.

"We are hopeful that after our study we are going to use the mobile van to tackle fake and counterfeit products," she said.

However, she said that the agency is working with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to ensure that the country’s export products meet international standards.

Earlier, Mr Anikoh Ibrahim, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, said that the agency is working towards ensuring zero tolerance on the issue of circulation of fake and counterfeit drugs and other unwholesome products in the country.

Also speaking, Alhaji Isa Magaji, Director, Niger Hospital Management Board, urged pharmacists and operators of pharmaceutical premises to always return expired drugs to NAFDAC for destruction.