Drug boss in Nigeria’s Plateau says illicit drugs on the climb down

Nigeria

The Director General, Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA) in Nigeria’s Northcentral Plateau State, Pharm Kim Jerry Bot, has reiterated its agency’s commitment against substandard and falsified drugs.

Kim who spoke to our correspondent in his office also added that the state is winning the war against fake drugs.

It could be recalled that the local government chairman Langtang North in the State, Hon Pirfa Tyem had last weekend raised an alarm over the interception of fake drugs in his local government.

Reacting to the development , Pharmacist Kim Bot said the state government led by Barrister Caleb Mutfwang would continue to fight to end substandard drugs.

” I am deeply concerned about recent reports regarding the circulation of substandard medications.”, he stressed.

“I am aware that NAFDAC has been doing a great deal to clean up issues relating to the spread of such drugs. In fact, in the first quarter of this year, Plateau was listed among the states that had reduced the circulation of substandard medications by 63 percent.”

The establishment of this agency has made it easier for us to trace and flag medications circulating in the state that are below standard, and let me say this clearly,it is completely unfair to the common man, to the innocent citizen, and to those who lack medical knowledge,but we will get to the root of it.

As an agency ,we procure medications directly from manufacturers, ensuring they provide us with all documents supporting the quality assurance of those drugs, upon delivery, we verify them.

“We also carry out physical assessments on site when drugs arrive at our warehouse.”

“Our warehouse conditions meet global best practices, We maintain proper humidity, temperature, storage infrastructure, and account for factors like gravity and shelf life.”.

“Furthermore, we have set up a mini laboratory with a bench for basic analytical tests. Sometimes, we conduct spot checks using chromatographic separation to detect adulteration.”

He added that “Just recently, we found a substandard antibiotic suspension meant for children. Shockingly, it lacked sufficient active ingredients to meet therapeutic levels and worse, it contained fecal matter.”

” This is unacceptable in Plateau State. We will not tolerate this and we are determined to step up our game.”

Pharmacist Kim also added that “Since we scored 63%, we vow never to drop below that, In fact, our aim is to reach 100 percent. “

” By the 10th of September this year, this agency will be one year old since its commissioning by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, If we’ve achieved 63% in just one year, we believe the only way is upward.”

” Our establishment is anchored on a legal framework. If you check the law signed on the 27th of October 2022 by former Governor Simon Bako Lalong, Section 4(4) clearly outlines our responsibility to curb substandard medications and promote local manufacturing. Section 4(5) also permits us to engage in public-private partnerships to ensure access to safe, effective, and quality medications.

“As a quality control specialist, I can tell you that every medication has an allowable limit of active ingredients. “

” For example, if a drug like paracetamol must contain at least 95% quality assurance and we test below that, we reject it, We return it to the manufacturer.”

“We’re currently reviewing a proposal to set up a microbiology laboratory to test not just medications but also food items in circulation.”

“We’ve observed increasing cases of food poisoning and are concerned about chemicals used to tenderize meats, especially in abattoirs,”These substances contribute to health issues like cancer, fibroids, and fertility problems.”

Once the lab is up, we will collect food samples randomly, test them, and sanction any violators. The law gives us that power.

Our agency currently distributes medications only to public health facilities. These include over 1,000 Primary Health Centres ,19 General Hospitals (initially 17, but now 19 following the addition of two by Governor Caleb Mutfwang as well as one Tertiary Health Facility, the Plateau State Specialist Hospital

Our goal is to ensure the affordability, availability, and accessibility of safe and effective medications.

He also added that Private pharmacies, however, are regulated by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN),We work in collaboration with them.

“In fact, we recently held a meeting with NAFDAC and PCN on pharmacovigilance. “Through our Drug Information Centre, any adverse drug reactions from medications purchased at private pharmacies can be reported and flagged.”

We now have a system that flags medications six months before expiration. Through our dashboard, we can track and act early. Rather than allow drugs or items like bed nets to expire, we now distribute them proactively to IDPs, indigent persons, and through medical outreaches.

We are reaching out to the Chairman of Lantang North over the reported case of substandard drug in his local government,We would trace the product, identify its source, and take appropriate action,whether it’s a manufacturing flaw or an idiosyncratic (genetic) reaction. Either way, there will be consequences.

He added that Plateau is on the right path and urged the people of the state to continue supporting the Governor, Caleb Mutfwang led administration and his Deputy Governor Mrs Jospehine Piyo.