By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Following the alert by the Federal Government of two confirmed falsified versions of Quinine Sulphate in circulation, the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency has placed machinery in motion to checkmate the situation, a statement from the agency says.
The Federal Ministry of Health had in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Bolade Akinola said one of the fake drugs was named Quinine Sulfate 300 mg with 1,000 tablets per container manufactured by Novadina Pharmaceutical Limited, London, United Kingdom and first discovered in Cameroun with batch number, 10H05, date of manufacture 09/2014 and date of expiry 09/2018.
The other version, Quinine Sulphate 300mg with 100 tablets per container manufactured by CAD Pharmaceuticals in India and first discovered in Buma, Republic of Congo with batch number, F4387, date of manufacture, 12/14 and date of expiry 11/18.
“Quinine Sulphate is used in the treatment of Malaria and the fake versions have no active pharmaceutical ingredients and the body could react adversely to its intake” says Dr. Edu in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar, Sunday shortly after her arrival from a sensitization drive in Mkpani, Nko and Ugep communities in Yakurr and Apiapum in Obubra local government areas on the need to sleep under Long Lasting Insecticide treated nets.
“We have dispatched a sensitization team to all the 1,013 primary health care centres and community pharmacies across the state and we call on Cross Riverians to be very vigilant as Cross River State is central since the drugs are mainly found in West and Central Africa.
“With one of the drugs discovered in the neighbouring Cameroun which is a few hours away, the Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has instructed that we step up surveillance on this drugs and some vaccine preventable diseases like polio.
“We join the Federal Government in saying that f you are in possession of these products, please do not use them. If you have taken this falsified product or if you suffer an adverse effect following its uptake, please seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare professional and report the incident to NAFDAC or call the following numbers provided by the Federal Ministry of Health; 08037881120, 08055056727 and 08035902679. Or reach the Agency on 08039302693” the statement added.