PTF adds fight against fake products to national response — Says 63% of hand sanitizers not registered by NAFDAC

Abiodun OBA |

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 said it has been compelled to add the fight against fake products to national response. The Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF Boss Mustapha, stated this while speaking in Abuja.

According to Mustapha, “Now is the time to turn adversity into victory by growing our entrepreneurial skills and industrial base.

“Let us find growth at the end of the pandemic. Today, we have been compelled to add the fight against fake products to our national response.” he said.

The Chairman pointed out, that, although the PTF recommended in line with global practice the use of hand sanitizer which expectedly should stimulate local production because of increased demand, many of the manufactured sanitizers did not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

“We regret to inform you that a survey conducted by the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), to check the influx of substandard goods into the market, revealed that 63 per cent of alcohol-based sanitizers in Abuja do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

“There could also be similar situations around the country. The Hon. Minister of Health has consequently issued an advisory to the general public to procure their sanitizer and other pharmaceutical products from credible sources,” he lamented.

He therefore called on Nigerians to be patriotic and desist from manufacturing sub-standard goods, which could further endanger other unsuspecting Nigerians who innocently purchase them.