The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, has thrown its weight behind the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ongoing battle against fake and substandard drugs in the country.

The state PSN Chairman, Martins Alutundu, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, described the agency’s efforts under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, as a crucial mission that must be accomplished to safeguard public health.

Alutundu lamented the devastating effects of counterfeit medicines, noting that they result in failed treatments, prolonged hospital stays, financial losses, and even death.

He warned that the menace also erodes public confidence in the healthcare system, leading to medical tourism.

He said: “NAFDAC’s bold steps to sanitise Nigeria’s chaotic drug distribution network are commendable. The unchecked circulation of fake and adulterated medicines has long posed a serious threat to public health. It is high time the country ceased being a haven for counterfeiters, drug abusers, and those who trade in substandard pharmaceutical products.”

The pharmacists’ body vowed unwavering support for NAFDAC’s mission to rid the country of illicit drugs, adulterated food, and other unsafe health-related products, insisting that public health must take precedence over profit-seeking ventures.

Alutundu also urged stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of the Standard Drug Distribution and Coordinated Wholesale Centres, which, he said, would enhance the monitoring and tracking of pharmaceuticals across the country.

He further commended Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for fostering a conducive environment for proper drug distribution, particularly his efforts at upgrading the state’s Drug and Health Supplies Management Agency to Pharmagrade Standard.

“We urge all stakeholders to prioritise public health above all else. No one is immune to the dangers of counterfeit drugs; we are all potential victims,” he said.