"Intensify campaign against drug hawkers," Reps urges agency

The House of Representatives has urged the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to intensify sensitization of the public to the dangers of patronising drug hawkers.

The resolution emanated from the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Garba Mohammed.

Presenting the motion, Mohammed said most drugs dispensed by the hawkers were fake and expired ones.

He held that people who ignorantly purchased them end up in critical conditions or die.

``These hawkers do not have pharmaceutical or medical qualifications and even go as far as prescribing drugs to unsuspecting Nigerians who buy because they are cheap and readily available.

``Despite the ban on illegal sale of drugs, hawking has continued to thrive, aided in part by the patronage of the public who have indirectly continued to sustain the practice’’, Mohammed said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, mandated the Committee on Healthcare Services to liaise with NAFDAC to work out modalities to eradicate the menace.

The committee is to report its recommendation to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.