On Thursday, the House of Representatives directed its HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control Committee to promptly conduct a foundational study on counterfeit anti-malaria medications across the nation’s six geo-political zones.
The committee is expected to provide a report within four weeks. This decision was reached following the approval of an urgent motion presented by Billy Osawaru and Osonwa Ibe, who represent Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode and Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituencies of Edo and Abia states, respectively, during the Green Chamber session.
Speaking on its significance, Osawaru said, “The use of these fake drugs is crucial and brings complications in treatment and eventually increases the risk of death. Counterfeiting of drugs was almost ignored or at least largely underestimated but it has now clearly emerged as one of the most crucial public health problems in Nigeria. Although important efforts have been made to fight against this criminal traffic by NAFDAC, much more needs to be done.”
He added, “The baseline survey is an important activity that must be urgently done in order to determine the before and after situations of the project ‘fight against low-quality anti-malaria medicines in Nigeria’.
“The survey will provide the ‘fight’ with useful information that will be used to determine the methodology to be adopted to reduce the number of deaths from the use of fake malaria drugs in Nigeria.”
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