Nasarawa govt. gets equipment to detect fake drugs.

NAN-H-39
Drugs
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Lafia, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Dr Daniel Iya, Commissioner of Health, Nasarawa State, said that the government had procured equipment for detecting fake drugs so as to protect the health of residents of the state.
The commissioner disclosed this in Lafia on Tuesday at a one-day workshop organised for owners of pharmaceutical premises.
“With this machine, we can detect fake drugs in any pharmaceutical store across the state for the good health of our people,” he said.
He said the workshop was organised to further sensitise pharmacists on the dangers of sale of fake adulterated, substandard, expired and illicit drugs in the state.
Iya, who was represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Mr Jacob James, said the state government would not relent in its effort at providing basic healthcare services to its citizens.
He urged other drug regulatory agencies to promote stronger collaboration in an effort to curb the problem of sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the state.
Iya called on the participants at the workshop to operate within the standard of the ministry and ensure that the people of the state consumed quality drugs.
Speaking earlier, Mr Opaleke Uwoora of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, said the proliferation of substandard and illicit drugs made Nasarawa the second state in drug abuse, after Kogi.
In his contribution, Mr Vicent Agada, State Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, said the workshop came at the right time, pledging partnership with any relevant body to curb the menace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was attended by representatives of NDLEA and Police. (NAN)
BAB/FF/WOJ
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro / Wale Ojetimi)