The Abia NAFDAC Coordinator, Dr. Ejike Nnamani, issued the warning on Wednesday during a sensitisation programme in Aba.
Nnamani said that when practitioners act against the rules and engage in lawless acts, they become prone to hiding from NAFDAC.
“The act exposes them to the menace of fake NAFDAC staff,” he said.
According to him, such practitioners, who hide from NAFDAC will be meals for scammers because they will not be bold to verify from NAFDAC if their staff are in their area.
He, therefore, urged them to stop unlawful practices that predispose them to hide from NAFDAC and make them prone to scammers coming in the name of NAFDAC officials.
Nnamani also said that unlawful medicine practices mark its practitioners out as dealers of ineffective drugs, which reduces their customer base.
He urged them to desist from selling fake drugs, saying that they contribute to the death of patients to a remarkable extent.
“The effects of fake drugs include treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, loss of confidence in the healthcare system, adverse drug effects, and even death.
“It also results in the loss of interest by pharmaceutical companies to innovate and engage in research and development of new drugs.
“They also push people into moving into alternative medical systems that are less effective,” he said.
The NAFDAC coordinator stressed that the benefits of wholesome practices, which include working with NAFDAC, would boost their businesses.
Mrs. Comfort Anaba, a patent medicine dealer in Ndiegoro 1 Zone, Aba South Local Government Area, expressed delight for being part of the sensitisation.
“I learnt that I should take a record of expired drugs, keep my shop clean, and store drugs safely according to directions to maintain their efficacy,” she said.
Another participant, Chief Oliver Olelewe, the Chairman, National Association of Patent Medicine Dealers, Over-Rail 2 Branch, Aba, promised that the dealers would use the ideas shared by NAFDAC to the benefit of their patients and business.
Olelewe urged the Agency to always come to their aid whenever they need their assistance.
Anaba and Olelewe thanked NAFDAC for organising the programme which, they noted, was very enriching.
They appealed to the Agency to make it more regular in order to enhance their practice.
NAN
