Ekiti State raises task force on fake drugs, others

• Lifts embargo on logging

As part of efforts to tackle the spread of fake and expired drugs and food items in Ekiti, the state government has set up a task force on the issue.The 10-man task force, headed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, has representatives of health-related government corporations and security agencies as members.

While inaugurating the committee in Ado Ekiti, Ojo explained that it was set up to check widespread counterfeiting of drugs and food items, which is responsible for most premature deaths in the state.

According to him, the task force is mandated to confiscate any drug displayed for sale on premises not duly licensed or registered to handle such medicine, ensure that processed foods displayed for sale are certified by appropriate authorities and fit for human consumption, and also ensure that expired items are not sold to the public.

The head of the committee said counterfeit drugs include any medicine that has been deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled as regards its identity and source, adding that it could apply to both branded and generic products.

Other members of the committee are Eniola Arogundade from the state Ministry of Justice, Mr. Ebo Frank representing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Durojaye Bisi from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr. Aimola Kehinde from the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the Director of Pharmaceutical Services in the State Ministry of Health, Mr. Shola Shittu. CSP Obiefe Okpaleye is representing the police.

Meanwhile, the state government has lifted the embargo on logging in Ekiti West local council. The ban was imposed some months ago.The Commissioner for Environment, Chief Bisi Kolawole, who disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Timber Trade Association in Ado Ekiti, said the government suspended logging in the area to check the illegal activities of timber merchants.

Kolawole advised stakeholders to avoid clashes with forest officers and other relevant government agencies while doing their businesses.He asked them to obtain all the necessary permits before commencing logging.