ADVERTISEMENT

Agency shuts 16 herbal medicine facilities

"We had earlier sensitised the herbal medicine practitioners to the need to have their companies and products registered as well as avoid illegal advertisements of their products.

NAFDAC shuts 16 herbal medicine facilities

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut 16 herbal medicine facilities and seized products over illegal operations in Onitsha, Anambra.

The seizure was effected during a raid of illegal products facilities in Onitsha and neighbouring communities -- Nkpor and Ogidi --- by officials of the agency on Tuesday.

Dr Christiana Esenwa, a Deputy Director and Coordinator of the agency, told newsmen that the agency had sanctioned no fewer than 100 practitioners from January 2015 till date.

Esenwa said that the affected companies were sanctioned for illegal manufacturing, sales, hawking and unapproved advertisements.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to her, at a particular manufacturing facility, a lot of unregistered products were discovered.

"Rather, they choose to ignore the warnings of the agency and have developed a habit of going back to business even after sanctioning them.”

She said that the agency was planning stiffer penalties against defaulters with an upward of the current N20,000 administrative charge, to deter illegal practitioners from operating without the agency’s approval.

"Before any company goes on air, such company must register their products, get certificate and advertisement permit.

"From what we saw during the raid, most of the products are unsafe for consumption and may pose health hazards to consumers since they have not been tested for purity and toxicity.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We discovered at another facility that the manufacturing environment was not conducive and lacked minimum good manufacturing practice.”

According to her, the defaulters with manufacturing outfits will be enlightened on how best to manufacture products that are safe for consumption.

Esenwa, however, said the raid and seizures were not punitive or meant to chase practitioners out of business but to make them appreciate the importance of due process in their respective businesses.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT