By Hassan Zaggi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the increase in the circulation of sex enhancement drugs- ‘man power’ and other illicit drugs in different parts of the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that many trucks loaded with the illicit drug have been impounded.
She also disclosed that three suspects have been arrested but that they have been released on bail while other suspects on the run.
While warning Nigerians to desist from using such unregistered sex enhancement drugs because they can kill or cause health complications, she noted that NAFDAC will stop at nothing to ensure that manufacturers and marketers of the such unwholesome drugs are arrested.
“In our recent operation, we impounded the following dangerous herbal aphrodisiac at some Islamic Herbal Medicines shops in Zaria, Kaduna State. They include Gagare Man Power, Minister For Man Power, lmenjou For Lazy Men in Bed, Nisan Zango Karfin Maza, Shagalin Ka Man Power, Dakan Jia Man Power enhancement, Wuff Male Sexual Performance and Afafata For Sexual Drive etc.”
Prof. Adeyeye further disclosed that: “So far one of the illegal factories involved in the production of such unauthorized products has been shut down and the owner arrested.
“Worthy of note is the discovery of the usage of Hyergra 200(Sildenafil Citrate tablet), Amafranil tablets (Clomipramine tablet 25mg) and Cannon Extra (Paracetamol 500mg+Caffeine 30mg) in the production room. The owner admitted that he dissolves the Hyergra 200, Cannon Extra and the Amafranil in a drum and mixes the content with boiled Kanafari, Garlic, Dundu, Marke, Hankufa, Sweetner and Sodium Benzoate to make up the Man Power preparation. Yet the label on the preparation read 100%Herbal
“The effect of such preparation on person with heart challenges can only be imagined. The makers of these products were arrested and later granted bail. Investigation is ongoing. “
She further explained that an alcoholic bitters product that is of grave concern is Japata Alcoholic bitters which was duly registered by NAFDAC but laced with marijuana or cannabis compared to the registered product that had only ethanol.
“Through intelligence, NAFDAC was able to shut down the company. This product when tested in the laboratory, caused the death of the mice within five minutes.
“The alcoholic content was doubled compared with the registered product. The retained samples, kept at the point of registration, did not cause any injury to the animals.
“The product laced with cannabis was said to cause altered state of mind and psychological problems to the user. The owner of the company is on the run and the matter has been shared with NDLEA.”
Prof Adeyeye further vowed that: “We shall continue with the raid on other illegal production outlet and the perpetrators will be dealt with in line with the extant laws and regulations.
“We further advise consumers of NAFDAC regulated products to be watchful of drug, food and other regulated products they purchase and should not hesitate to report any suspicious activities within their environment to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“I want to assure Nigerians that NAFDAC is doing everything to ensure that only safe medicine and wholesome food of the right quality are sold to our citizenry.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to solicit for the support of health practitioners, community leaders, religious leaders, the press and all stakeholders to continue to educate their wards and family members to desist from patronizing quacks and hawkers of medicines on the street.”
