TheCable

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed two drug shops and a pharmacy in the Idumota and Surulere areas of Lagos for allegedly selling unregistered drugs.

According to NAN, the shops sealed are owned by Blue Choice Pharmaceutical Ltd., while the pharmacy in Surulere is owned by Vatican Bells Pharmacy(pictured).

A mini drug warehouse owned by Global Oneword Healthcare Ltd. at Orile Iganmu was also sealed for not presenting its poison book.

Afolabi Aderemi, deputy director, investigation and enforcement directorate of NAFDAC, said the operation was carried out as a result of intelligence reports received about the shops.

“We are here today because we got a tip-off that control drugs are sold in these shops,” he said.

“By the virtue of the International Convention, there are 71 drugs that ought not to be sold by individuals or pharmacies and we have evidence that these shops sealed up are into the illegal business.

“We are dealing with an organised crime here and NAFDAC is doing everything possible to discourage people from buying unregistered drugs.”

He said the owners of the sealed shops and pharmacy had been invited to the NAFDAC office for more investigation.

Innocent Ezennia, the first vice-chairman, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association, Island Zone, commended the raid and said the association would continue to work with NAFDAC.

“Raids and enforcement like these are very important to us, to sanitise our business area,” he said.

“We will always work with NAFDAC to make their job seamless whenever they come for raid or enforcement.”