Unregistered drugs likely cause of kidney, liver diseases – Coordinator

Mr Ikechukwu Okoye, an official of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says the use of unregistered and unverified drugs may be responsible for the rising cases of Kidney and Liver diseases in the country.

Okoye, who is the agency's Co-ordinator in charge of Enugu State, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Enugu.

According to him, it is dangerous to take drugs not approved pharmacologically by the agency.

Okoye said that kidney and liver diseases were on the increase without any clear change in human life-styles except for wrong drug products people take.

"You find out that there is no empirical studies yet, but I am just guessing, there is an increase in liver and kidney challenges if you go to hospitals now.

"I am thinking because of the type of unregistered drugs that people consume.

"People should be very careful with the drugs they buy; make sure it has NAFDAC registration number.

"Even those with NAFDAC registration number, if there is any reaction as to the drug you’ve taken, please make do and come to our office.

"We have a pharmaco-vigilance section – if you have any reaction as regards any drug come and we would take details and send to our pharmaco-vigilance unit, so that they would note it and now try to investigate more.’’

Okoye said that the agency’s offices across the country open during working hours to receive any complaint from the public concerning NAFDAC regulated products.

NAN reports that the Federal Government has mandated NAFDAC to register and verify the efficacy of all drugs, cosmetics and food products meant for public consumption.