18th September, 2014
Oluremilekun Osobu-Asubiojo
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has apprehended two men in Lagos for selling un-evaluated Ebola Virus test kits and expired hand sanitizers.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, made this known at a press briefing on the activities of the agency, at the agency’s Oshodi branch in Lagos.
According to him, unscrupulous members of the society have decided to cash in on the unfortunate Ebola incidence in the country by bringing in all sorts of products including expired hand sanitisers.
“We wonder how some people can be so callous to make money out of the situation despite this deadly disease called ebola”
”The most troubling is the case of Mr James Nnaji of 116, Oguta road, Onitsha, who imported expired brands of hand sanitisers through NAHCO Lagos,” Orhii said.
The products, according to the DG, were: Soft care natural, Soft care lemon, Soft care lavender, Soft care apple, all of which had expired in December 29, 2012, two years ago, “but yet found their way into the country.”
Orhii also said the agency also recently detected the sale of un-evaluated and untested ‘Rapid response Ebola virus test kits’ which were being aggressively marketed by one Mr John Ojewale of Multi Products Medical Supply Company Limited.
The suspect, the DG said, was trailed and apprehended by the agency and upon interrogation, he claimed that one Mr Lateef Bamisedun, supplied him the kits, which were allegedly imported from Canada.
“Lateef Bamisedun was arrested and he confessed to have imported the kits from Canada,” Orhii said.
“The danger associated with the use of substandard hand sanitisers and untested Ebola Test kits is indeed grave and could derail all efforts put in place to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country,” he added.
The NAFDAC boss further revealed that so far, 106 brands that were illegally imported into the country without NAFDAC certification and officers of the agency at all entry points, the seaports, airports and land borders have been put on the alert to check the ugly trend.
Orhii also urged members of the public to report any suspected cases of fake and unregistered products. He also warned them not to patronise such ‘test kits’.
He further affirmed that the deadly Ebola virus has been successfully managed and contained in the country through the efforts of the Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu.
He also warned the general publics not patronize such unregistered and fake test kits and to report any suspected cases of fake and unregistered regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
He also stressed the need to follow the necessary guidelines to stop the transmission of the deadly disease which include: hand washing with soap,the use of hand sanitizer in addition to personal hygiene, good environmental health practices and also to ensure that the alcohol content of a hand sanitizer is 60 per cent and above with adequate expiration date on the point of purchase.