Zamfara to end illegal medicine sales, hawking

The Zamfara State Government is taking decisive steps to eradicate the illegal sale and hawking of medicines, emphasizing that such practices pose a severe threat to public health. Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, the state Commissioner for Health, addressed a stakeholders' meeting in Gusau, focusing on fortifying regulation, enforcement, and public awareness regarding the perils of illicit medicine sales.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary Alhaji Rilwanu Musa Zurmi, Maradun highlighted the potential undermining of the state's healthcare infrastructure and workforce if citizens chose counterfeit, substandard, or improperly handled medicines. She cautioned that the financial investments in the health sector could be jeopardized if clients received fraudulent medications.

Maradun warned of the dangers associated with medicine hawking, including exposure to incorrect dosages, misuse of antibiotics leading to antimicrobial resistance, and treatment failure. The proposed action plan involves tightening the regulation of the pharmaceutical supply chain, raising public awareness, and enforcing existing laws.

Pharmacist Mas'ud Isah, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services in the ministry, elucidated the legal framework governing medicine sales and distribution, underscoring the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Isah advocated for enhanced intelligence-sharing among regulatory bodies, security forces, traditional leaders, and market associations to identify and curb illegal medicine dealers.

Coordinated efforts were emphasized as crucial to ensure that only authorized entities engage in the sale and distribution of medicines.

Stakeholders present at the meeting comprised representatives from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), NAFDAC, National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPMED), Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), law enforcement agencies, religious and traditional institutions, and labor unions. These parties pledged their support for the government's endeavors while urging authorities to enforce measures fairly, without unfairly targeting legitimate pharmaceutical businesses.

The state government's initiative aims to safeguard the quality and safety of medicines available to residents and honor the investments made in the health sector.