Delta reconstitutes task force on fake drugs

Delta State Task Force on fake and counterfeit herbal drugs was reconstituted on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, Dr Ogbogodor Ogumu.

Ogumu who announced the reconstitution in a statement gave the name of the new chairman as Chief, Dr Alex Eguda. Other members of the task force are Dr. Ndubuisi Okafor, Vice Chairman, Mr. Omode Felix, Secretary, and Dr Uche Uzorka Assistant Secretary.

The Traditional Medicine Board is represented in the Taskforce by Mr. Okpeki Felix, Mr. Ajam Stephen, and Mrs. Linda Ojeah, while Mr. Blessing Abu and Mr. Emmanuel Anazia are members.

According to the Ogumu, Supol Ángela Okocha is the Security adviser to the Task Force

The Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Board listed the functions of the task force to include eradicating fake and substandard herbal drugs from circulation with a view to promoting good public health.

The task force will ensure that hawkers of herbal drugs popularly called “Agbo” do not engage in the sale of hard drugs under the guise of herbal medication.

The task force is also expected to stop the indiscriminate dumping or defacing of road junctions with fetish substances and sacrificial items in major towns and urban centers which is becoming rampant.

Members are also expected to raid the operational offices or clinics of suspected fake and quack traditional medicine practitioners across the state to close down such herbal clinics and bring operators of such unauthorized clinics to justice.