NAFDAC on Friday warned the public of fake methylated spirits in the market, as it paraded?two suspects?who were allegedly caught with N72,000 worth of the product in Onitsha.
Mr Benson Kine, a Deputy Director in NAFDAC, told journalists?in Onitsha that the agency confiscated 50 cartons of fake methylated spirits at the Bridge-Head Drugs Market, Onitsha.
Methylated spirit is mostly used as a disinfectant and a first-aid ointment for fresh wounds.
Kine said that the suspects?mixed up the concoction in a remote area in Onitsha and bring them to the market to distribute and sell?to unsuspecting users.
He said?that the suspects had been able to penetrate the market by labelling the bottles of their product with the brand-name of a popular methylated spirit, fooling unsuspecting customers in the process.
?“We received a tip-off from some people at the Bridge-Head Drugs Market that Gauze Pharmaceuticals Ltd. had complained that a fake version of its branded methylated spirit was in circulation at the market.
?“We moved in and?arrested the suspects who later?took us the?house where?they mixed the concoction to produce the fake product. We also picked up the person printing the label of the fake product for them.
?“The two?will be transferred to our Enforcement Directorate in Lagos for further investigations,’’ he said.
Kine, nonetheless, urged the people to inform NAFDAC about any fake or sub-standard product in the market, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality. (NAN)