The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has said it will partner with universities on herbal medicine research.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this on Monday while briefing the media on how NAFDAC intercepted counterfeiters involved in the production of a variety of beverages including wines, soft drinks and consumables in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) Aba, Abia State.
She said, “We want to work with universities to do research, it is part of our mandate so that the outcome of the research will drive awareness. I have sent a proposal to a colleague on this and the research will focus on herbal medicine clinical trials.”
Adeyeye hinted that NAFDAC would be consistent in the training of postgraduates and final-year students of various universities, saying this would equip them with the basic knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively.
“We started this training with the local manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients workshop. This will continue and we will extend it to other young graduates to know what they need to know before graduation,” she said.
Adeyeye revealed that some of the nefarious activities of the counterfeiters included the manufacturing of all kinds of adulterated products especially different kinds of wine from a wide variety of brands ranging from Seaman Schnapps, Henessy, Four Cousins, Carlo Rossi, Jenney, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Schnapp Dry Gin, McDowells, Black Labels, Gordons, Martell, Campari, Smirnoff ice, Eva Non-Alcoholic Drink, Evra Non-Alcoholic Drink, Cartel, and others.
There is also date revalidation for expired products like Peak milk, Powdered milk, Ketchups, Yoghurt, Coca-Cola products, and packaging of fake and substandard products, which are later sold to unsuspecting members of the public for consumption.
She added, “Because of the extensive operation, the agency raided over 240 shops- turned factories where the harmful products were being produced and marketed.”