By Haruna Gimba
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has denied a report attributed to its Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib, about the standard of drugs dispensed in Nigeria.
In a widely circulated reports in the media, the executive director was reported to have tthat over 70 per cent of drugs dispensed in Nigeria were substandard.
However, in a state issued to newsmen, Head of Public Relations unit of the agency, Mohammad Ohitoto, said Dr Shuaib had never made such a statement anywhere in his engagements.
“Furthermore, the Executive Director is aware that drug administration and monitoring is outside the Agency’s mandate, and it is incorrect to assert that seven out of every 10 drugs in Nigeria is substandard.
“NPHCDA has re-examined all external materials and online platforms, and will ensure that this inaccurate information is not communicated by NPHCDA, to avoid any misunderstanding,” the statement said.
Ohitoto, however, appreciated the media for its intention of reporting facts and dutifully informing the public of the activities of the agency.
