Niger Assembly moves to tackle circulation of fake drugs

The Niger State House of Assembly has commenced the process of promulgating appropriate legislation to tackle the circulation and proliferation of fake drugs in markets in the state.

The Speaker, Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, disclosed this after leading members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian (PSN) on a 4.5km road walk to mark the World Pharmacists Day in Minna, on Monday.

He noted that the proliferation of fake and substandard drugs calls for urgent attention, adding that the House will do everything possible to minimize it.

He said,” These problems of fake drugs and drug abuse will soon become a thing of the past in the state. As you know, we have a professional pharmacist as a member of the 10th Assembly.

“We are in the process of promulgating appropriate legislation to tackle these problems. I can assure the people that in no distance time, we will start moving motions and passing laws to curb this menace”.

The Speaker also revealed that the legislators will continue to work with the Pharmacists Society of Nigeria to fight against fake drugs.

He equally called on pharmacists in the state to adhere to the ethics of the profession for the benefit of the people.

The Chairman of the PSN in Niger State, Pharmacist Yakubu Maji Isah, urged residents to stop self medication.

While expressing the readiness of the PSN to collaborate with the lawmakers to eradicate the menace, the Speaker equally advised the residents to stop patronizing street hawkers and peddlers of fake drugs.