Anambra Assembly urges Gov. Obiano to constitute taskforce to tackle counterfeit drugs, goods by Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

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Hon.  Charles Obimma representing Oyi Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly 



Awka: The Anambra State House of Assembly on Friday, urged Gov.  Willie Obiano to constitute a taskforce aimed at stemming “the growing epidemic” of substandard goods and counterfeit drugs in the state.
The resolution followed a motion raised under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Mr Charles Obimma (Oyi), who lamented that the state had become a dumping ground for substandard products.
According to Obimma, substandard goods and counterfeit drugs is a lucrative business for bad people trading on it but dangerous because it kills and destroys lives in thousands.
“Eighty per cent of the drugs and goods in our markets are fake and substandard. This is a serious problem that calls for concern.
“These fake drugs and substandard goods are purchased by unsuspecting members of the public.
“They do not derive value from the money spent on their purchase with other attendant problems associated with the use of fake drugs and substandard goods.
“Some of these problems include serious medical complications arising from cases of consumption of fake drugs.
“Building collapse as a result of using substandard building materials, fire outbreak from the use of fake electric cables, to mention but a few.
“So, we urge the Governor to direct the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce to urgently reconstitute the State Taskforce on Substandard Goods and Counterfeit Drugs to combating the massive influx of it in the markets in the state,” Obimma said.
Contributing, Mr John Nwokoye (Awka North), said that over dependence on imported goods, lack of expertise for local production made the country a dumping ground.
He added that ulterior desire for excessive business profit also made Nigerian markets to sell all categories of substandard goods and adulterated drugs.
According to Nwokoye, majority of products ranging from pharmaceutical products, mobile phones, electrical appliances, motor spare parts and lubricants, household items, building materials etc, are substandard.
He said that “Constituting a state taskforce will ensure that the key regulatory agencies such as SON and NAFDAC, will be statutorily charged to tackle headlong the menace of fake drugs across the state’’.
In his views, Mr Obinna Emeneka (Anambra East) said that the consumption of fake drugs could worsen health conditions which might lead to permanent disability or even death.
Emeneka advised resident of Anambra to patronise only certified pharmacy shops for their drugs.
The speaker of the House, Mr Uche Okafor, said that fake drugs and products were dangerous to humanity.
Okafor said the state taskforce would assist regulatory agencies with adequate information to get rid of substandard goods and counterfeit drugs in the markets. 
I'm Lucy Osuizigbo. A graduate of Mass Communication, now a Journalist, with special interest in Health, Environment, Gender and Poltics. I'm simple, passionate, all about self development and I'm the Journalist's Journalist

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