The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has on Wednesday warned members of National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers to abide by its regulatory rules and guidelines on drug administration.

Director General, NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning at a sensitization workshop with the theme, “NAFDAC’s regulatory expectation of NAPPMED in Nigeria” in Enugu State.

Adeyeye said that all unregistered medicines remain fake drug until it passed through the Agency’s vital registration process, numbering and check.

The Director General represented by the  South-East Zonal Director, Mrs Olajumoke Ojetokun said  that the dangers of the use of fake and unwholesome medicines are enormous and these according to her “range from pharmacological issues such as; respiratory depression (shallow breath and irregular breathing), central depression/severe drowsiness, muscle rigidity, unconsciousness/coma to socio-economic problems which amongst are; loss of economic productivity and pressure on the healthcare systems,’’  terrorism and crime.

Adeyeye said that all unregistered medicines remain fake until it passed through the Agency’s vital registration process, numbering and check.

The director-general also urged NAPPMED members to join the train of compliance and “active collaboration’’ with NAFDAC to create a healthy and safe country for all.

The DG therefore urged the body to always be vigilant and to immediately alert NAFDAC on any irregular act for action, as she assured a robust and cordial relationship between the association and NAFDAC.

Also speaking, Chuks Osuji, Chairman of NAPPMED Ogbete Market (Section B), of the state said the association is committed to working with NAFDAC.

Adding to Osuji’s voice, Chairman Ogbete  Market (Section A), On his part, Mr liver EOzemba, Chairman of NAPPMED Ogbete Market (Section A),  Oliver EOzemba noted that NAPPMED members had been longing for a workshop like this, where individual members would be taught best practices and how to ensure compliance.

The workshop was jointly organized by NAFDAC and NAPPMED.