The Niger State House of Assembly has initiated the process of creating legislation to address the problem of counterfeit drugs circulating in the state’s markets.

Speaker Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji made this announcement after leading a 4.5km road walk with members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to observe World Pharmacists Day in Minna on Monday.

Sarkindaji emphasized the urgency of tackling the proliferation of fake and substandard drugs and assured that the Assembly would take all necessary steps to combat this issue. He mentioned that they are in the process of drafting suitable legislation to address these challenges and stated their commitment to making motions and passing laws to combat the menace.

The Speaker pledged ongoing collaboration between the legislators and the Pharmacists Society of Nigeria in the fight against counterfeit drugs. He also encouraged pharmacists in the state to uphold the ethical standards of their profession for the benefit of the people.

Chairman of the PSN in Niger State, Pharmacist Yakubu Maji Isah, called on residents to refrain from self-medication and expressed the PSN’s readiness to collaborate with lawmakers to eradicate the problem. Additionally, the Speaker advised residents to avoid buying drugs from street hawkers and sellers of fake medicines.