Health Minister promises implementation of findings on Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Thursday promised effective implementation of findings and ideas from the study on the Rise of Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals in Africa.

He made the promise during the ‘Seminar on the Rise of Counterfeit Pharmaceutical in Africa’ held at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Abuja.

The Minister was represented by an aide, Mr Bukola Ajaye.

“I want to promise that the road map and ideas harnessed in this seminar shall be channeled to the Ministry of Health for implementation and follow up.

“Counterfeiting is an age long crime that puts the end user at the risk of death.

“This is a public health menace on a global scale that causes tens of thousands of death each year.

“The Health Ministry’s mandate is: making available essential medicines that are safe, affordable and assessable for the good health of Nigerians.’’

The Minister lauded the choice of the study, noting that such initiatives as well as other governmental policies put in place depict the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the Nigerian citizens with a functioning health system.

“The choice of this study is very crucial in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG,s) and also the development of our country.

“Initiatives such as the Basic Health Provision Funds under the Primary Health Care Revitalisation Model, has been able to revitalise 4,110 healthcare centres in demonstration of our commitment to the health of Nigerian citizens.

“Government policies have been developed to aid in sanitising the drug market which includes ‘National Drug Distribution Guideline, The Nigerian Supply Chain Policy and Guidelines of Pharmaceuticals as well as other guidelines.”