The Abia State Government, through the Abia State Orientation Agency, has launched a new sensitisation campaign to tackle the menace of fake and substandard drugs, describing it as a leading cause of organ failure and other serious health complications among citizens.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, called manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit drugs “silent murderers,” warning that fake medicines not only compromise health but also harm the economy.

“The use of fake drugs destroys the intended effects of medicine, putting both human lives and the economic system at risk,” Uche stated, highlighting the dangers, including organ failure and other severe health issues. He also commended Governor Alex Otti for ongoing efforts to safeguard Abia residents from unscrupulous drug vendors and quack practitioners.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, emphasized that fake and substandard drugs are a life-and-death issue, noting that the government is intensifying its fight from advocacy to enforcement.

In her welcome address, Ure Abazie, Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, raised alarms about how counterfeit products are manufactured, packaged, and labeled to mislead consumers.

Representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) — State Coordinators Ejike Nnamani and Anthony Eneh — echoed the warnings, stressing that human lives are at risk due to the proliferation of fake drugs.

The campaign marks a renewed effort by the Abia State Government to protect citizens and promote awareness of the dangers associated with counterfeit pharmaceuticals.