The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated a taskforce in Ebonyi State aimed at combating counterfeit medicines and unwholesome processed foods.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abakaliki, brought together key stakeholders including representatives from NAFDAC, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Festus Ukadike, outlined the objectives of the initiative and urged Ebonyi State to take the lead in confronting the growing menace of fake drugs and unsafe packaged foods.
Ukadike explained that the taskforce would enforce regulatory standards, coordinate intelligence-driven surveillance, and remove illegal products from circulation. He added that the initiative would also support legitimate manufacturers and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators.
According to him, the taskforce will conduct coordinated market inspections and carry out rapid testing of suspected products, with transparent reporting to the Chairman of the Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.
Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, who joined the event via Zoom from Lagos, said the taskforce derives its authority from an Act of the National Assembly, noting that it supersedes any similar taskforce established by a state government.
Also speaking, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, described the circulation of counterfeit drugs and unsafe foods as a serious threat to public health. He warned that the menace silently claims lives, weakens healthcare systems, and disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable.
Ekuma highlighted steps already taken by the state Ministry of Health to address the problem and stressed that the inauguration of the taskforce was not merely ceremonial but a decisive call to action.
He urged members of the taskforce to work diligently toward eliminating harmful drugs and food products from the state.
Earlier, the Ebonyi State NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr. Emeka Orajiaka, noted that tackling counterfeit drugs and unsafe foods requires collective effort. He said the newly inaugurated taskforce would strengthen collaboration among regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard the health of residents.
Responding on behalf of the taskforce, its Chairman, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, assured that members would carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.
He also pledged the taskforce’s readiness to work closely with relevant agencies, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to dismantle networks profiting from the distribution of harmful products.
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