By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC has said it would take more stringent actions against perpetuators of drug hawking and artificial ripening of fruits
Director General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye made this known on Thursday in Uyo at the flag off of the NAFDAC Media Sensitization Workshop on Dangers of Drug Hawking and Ripening of Fruits with Calcium Carbide.
Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr Leonard Omokpariola said agency have been very emphatic on the dangers and health implication of these two nefarious activities and have taken decisive steps through media sensitization, enforcement through intelligence and raids in fruit markets that have resulted in seizures and destruction of violative products.
The flag – off for the sensitization workshop the DG said is aimed at sustaining and strengthening NAFDAC’s existing collaboration with Association of Health Journalists in Nigeria towards mobilizing, educating, sensitizing, and conscientizing Nigerian Journalists to play frontline role in efforts to eradicate the social crime.
“The menace of drug hawking has continued to pose serious challenge to Healthcare Delivery System in the country and this underscored NAFDAC’s resolute determination to totally eradicate the illicit trade.
“Many Drug Hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of Death who expose essential while many drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-literate Drug Hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirement of regulated medicines.
“Drug Hawkers are also the major Distributors and Suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as Armed Bandits, Insurgents, Kidnappers and Armed Robbers. Drug Hawkers constitute serious threat to our national security.
“I wish to warn that any Drug Hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted, will face a jail term, and our Enforcement Officers are currently carrying out synchronized nation-wide operation. No offender will be spared from facing the full wrath of the Law.” She said.
Adeyeye said the effect of artificial ripening on fruit quality include considerable loss of properties such as colour, taste and feel, and such practice does not give the natural aroma and flavour to the fruits.
“Calcium Carbide when sprayed with water reacts chemically to produce acetylene, which acts like ethylene and ripens fruits by a similar process. Calcium carbide generally contains impurities such as arsenic, lead particles, phosphorus, etc., that pose several very serious health hazards.
“Consumption of fruits containing these impurities may cause cancer, heart, kidney and liver failure. They may also cause frequent thirst, irritation in mouth and nose, weakness, permanent skin damage, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcer and so forth. Higher exposure may cause undesired fluid build-up in lungs (pulmonary oedema).
“Consuming such artificially ripened fruits could result in sleeping disorders, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, kidney problems and possibly even cancer.” She explained.
The DG also announced that apart from sensitization campaigns and enforcement activities, NAFDAC has commissioned a scientific study on the best approach towards mitigating the health hazards posed by ripening of fruits with carbides.
Earlier in a wellcome remark, NAFDAC Zonal Director in charge of South East and South South, Dr Chike Obiano maintained that the media remained a critical stakeholder to the attainment of NAFDAC objectives while it has adopted a two pronged action plan to contend with the problem.
Also in a remark, the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Abubakar Jimoh regretted that the consumption of hard drugs in Nigeria at 14.3% has remained three times above global average but called on citizens to take ownership of the objectives of the sensitization.
