COVID-19: No drug can be distributed unless registered – FG

The Federal Government has said the COVID Organics touted by Madagascar and expected in the country would be subjected to “stringent” evaluation and regulatory processes before it could be dispensed to coronavirus patients.

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, stated this during the briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He stressed that no drug or vaccine could be used or distributed in the country without the certification of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

He said, “I want to start briefly with the Madagascar cure because it has been in the press recently.

“As directed by Mr President, I want to state again that any medication coming into the country whether it’s a herbal cure or concoction or normal drug has to be subjected to the regulatory process.

“The Madagascar cure will be subjected to the regulatory process and guidelines that we have, not only to establish the drug efficacy but also drug safety.

“As stated by NAFDAC, no drug can be manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold or distributed in the country unless legally registered.

“So, this drug will go through the normal process which will be quite stringent before it can be administered to anybody within the country.”

The PUNCH reports that the PTF Chairman said on Monday that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) had directed the airlifting of the COVID Organics apportioned to Nigeria by Madagascar.