The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has condemned the activities of those taking advantage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to flood the market with substandard products. Mr Boss Mustapha, who is the PTF chairman, stated this on Thursday in his remarks at the team’s briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He decried that a very large quantity of alcohol-based hand sanitisers purchased by residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“As part of the non-pharmaceutical measures, we recommended in line with global practice, the use of hand sanitisers. Ordinarily, that ought to stimulate local production because of increased demand,” Mustapha told reporters at the briefing.
He added, “We regret to inform you that following a survey conducted by the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to check the influx of substandard goods into the market, it was revealed that 63% of alcohol-based sanitizers in Abuja do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.
“There could also be similar situations around the country. The Honourable Minister of Health has consequently issued an advisory to the general public to procure their sanitisers and other pharmaceutical products from credible sources.”
