Disorder and commotion reigned in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital at the unveiling of an anti-COVID-19 herbal syrup as officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) swooped on the venue.
The stage was set for the press conference and the unveiling of the herbal brand named “Oxibiotics” when the officials accompanied by some security personnel moved and bust the programme at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta.
Journalists, dignitaries and the convener and herbal expert, Paul Oni, a retired soldier, were already seated for the commencement of the event when NAFDAC task force disrupted it and seized the samples.
An official of NAFDAC (name withheld) told newsmen that the programme was stopped because the herbal product has yet to be scientifically certified.
He said it was wrong for the producer to release the herbal product to the public without the agency’s certification and approval.
“The producer is a client. He knows the procedures having secured NAFDAC number for some of his products on two different occasions. But this product, in particular, has not passed through the NAFDAC processes”.
“Besides, he breached the advertisement control policy by advertising the product. And he deliberately did not invite us to the programme. If truly it is a certified product, he would have invited us”
“So, we just got the hint this morning; that is why we went there to stop the programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC said it has sealed the factory while further investigation continues.
“We equally went to his factory and sealed It,” the official also said.
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