The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) has shut 16 herbal medicine facilities and seized products over illegal operations in Onitsha, Anambra.
The seizure was effected during a raid of illegal products facilities in Onitsha and its neighbouring communities, Nkpor and Ogidi, by officials of the agency on Tuesday.
Dr. Christiana Esenwa, a Deputy Director and Coordinator of the agency, told the press that from January 2015 till date, no fewer than 100 practitioners have been sanctioned.
The affected companies were sanctioned for illegal manufacturing, sales, hawking and unapproved advertisements – she said.
She also stated the earlier awareness made for practitioners to have their companies registered and their ignorance.
Dr Esenwa also said that the agency was planning stiffer penalties against defaulters with an upward of the current N20,000 administrative charge, to deter illegal practitioners from operating without the agency’s approval.
Before any company goes on air, such company must register their products, get certificate and advertisement permit.
From what we saw during the raid, most of the products are unsafe for consumption and may pose health hazards to consumers since they have not been tested for purity and toxicity.
Esenwa also said that the defaulters with manufacturing outfits will be enlightened on how best to manufacture products that are safe for consumption.
The raid and seizures were not punitive or meant to chase practitioners out of business but to make them appreciate the importance of due process in their respective businesses. – She also said.
