Nigerian State Revives Agency to Fight Counterfeit Drugs

A Nigerian state has revitalized a program to help rid the area of counterfeit drugs.

Speaking to the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Ugbodaga, said that the Edo State would bring back its Essential Drug Project (EDP) to help fight the scourge of counterfeit drugs, according to the Nigerian Observer.

Ugbodaga also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fight against substandard, adulterated and counterfeit drugs.

In addition to fighting the problem of counterfeit drugs, Ugbodaga said that the EDP would provide free anti-malaria medication to pregnant woman and children under the age of 5.

Nigeria has been one of the countries that has been hardest hit by the menace of counterfeit drugs.

In 1995, approximately 2,500 children in Nigeria died after they took a phony meningitis vaccine.

During his speech, Ugbodaga urged students to help both the state and federal government in their effort to protect Nigerians from counterfeit and substandard medications. He also urged them to help with other health causes like combating the spread of HIV and AIDS.