Suspend Ban On Alcoholic Drinks In Sachets, Pet bottles – Reps Tells NAFDAC

Published

11 months ago

February 23, 2024

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Suspend Ban On Alcoholic Drinks In Sachets, Pet bottles – Reps Tells NAFDAC—-The House of Representatives Committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration, and Control (NAFDAC), has ordered suspension of ban on sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles.

The suspension is pending the outcome of its investigation on the matter.

Rep. Regina Akume, Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC said this in Abuja after a public hearing on ban of the product on Friday.

She said there were proper steps to take before the ban, adding that there was need to put Access Control Procedures in place.

This, she said, was to prevent children and youths from consuming the alcoholic contents of the sachet and pet bottles.

She said the committee was entrusted with the essential responsibility and effectiveness of NAFDAC for the creation of employment and enhancing economic growth.

She promised to reach a level playing ground between NAFDAC and manufacturers that would not be detrimental to children or public safety.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC, said the ban was imposed to protect the health and welfare of children, youths, and other vulnerable groups.

“We tried to protect the market, and that was why we agreed to a five-year moratorium for the manufacturers to phase out alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles in December 2018.

According to her, it is a ministerial directive and not unilaterally made by NAFDAC, and the expiration of that five-year period has come.

Adeyeye said that, in spite of the agreement on the ban on alcohol in sachet and pet bottles, it was shocking to NAFDAC that the campaign from manufacturers was mounting.

She said that a lot of issues could have been solved before now, adding that the agency was not against the production of alcohol drinks but alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, to wade off children from unnecessary access.

“The World Health Organisation had a resolution in 2010, in which Nigeria was a co-signer, that each country will have alcohol that is less reachable and less accessible to the youth, and nothing has been done about that until now.

“It is very unfortunate we are where we are now because the children who are used to taking alcohol will also become vulnerable to drug abuse.”

Adeyeye said that as a result of the alcohol in sachets, about “30 per cent of our children now take alcohol casually.”

She, however, said the market that was going to be lost, as expressed by the manufacturer, would be about 30 per cent because such could be easily concealed in the pocket.

Mr Segun Ajayi kadilimni, Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), however, said there was no major basic disagreement between it and NAFDAC.

He added that MAN remained committed to protecting the youth and children from accessing alcohol.

Kadilimni said the issue remained how to protect the under aged saying: “we have realised that there is a process to get there but banning the product will be counterproductive.”

According to him, this is because you are going to open the market to producers of illicit drugs, and these are people you cannot control.

“I believe if we work together, we will be able to eradicate underage access. These sachets are not produced for children but for adults, and they have been warned not to consume them.”

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Health & Wellbeing

Japan’s Bird Flu Cases Surge In January

Published

12 hours ago

January 22, 2025

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Japan’s Bird Flu Cases Surge In January—-Japan is experiencing a surge of avian influenza outbreak, with approximately five million chickens and other birds culled across five prefectures this month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has confirmed the new outbreaks at two poultry farms in Morioka City this week.

This has prompted the establishment of an on-site response headquarters in Iwate Prefecture.

In total, 26 outbreak sites have been identified this month, with nearly five million birds impacted.

The ministry warned that the outbreaks could show no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking past records.

The ministry also noted the impact on egg prices, reporting a 15per cent increase since the start of the year.

Some industry observers have raised concerns about potential supply shortages as the effects of avian influenza begin to take hold.

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Health & Wellbeing

JUST IN: Lagos Health Workers Begin Strike

Published

1 month ago

December 11, 2024

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JUST IN: Lagos Health Workers Begin Strike—-TCN reports that the unions include the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, and the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.

Oloruntoba Odumosu, Secretary of NANNM, in an interview with NAN on Wednesday, insisted that the strike would hold following the expiration of an ultimatum issued by the unions.

Odumosu disclosed that a meeting of the union leaders with officials of the state government on Dec. 9 also ended in an impasse.

“The government officials couldn’t give us a clear timeline for the implementation of our demands and there’s no governor’s approval for the payment.

“We reported the feedback to the Congress, which was ongoing at our secretariat, and it unanimously voted ‘No’, insisting on proceeding with the strike,” he said.

He complained that the matter had lingered for long, in spite of numerous attempts by the unions to resolve it amicably.

“However, it has become clear that the government does not accord the issue the seriousness it deserves.

“Engagement on December 2 with the Ministry of Establishments and Training further reinforced our concerns as the meeting failed to provide clarity on the computation method for the adjustment.

“This is particularly concerning given that Lagos state does not operate the full CONHESS structure, nor did it yield a definite timeline for payment.

“This is especially disheartening as adjustments have already been implemented for doctors since October 2024.

“This approach, which prioritises some segments of the health workforce while neglecting others, is divisive and undermines the collective morale of health professionals in the state,” he said.

Odumosu regretted that the government appeared ‘indifferent’ to addressing their legitimate demands in spite of the critical roles played by members of the unions in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to Lagos residents.

“The handling of this matter has left us with no other choice but to resort to this warning strike, spanning from December 11 to December 13.

“It is aimed at pressing home our demands for the full implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for all eligible health workers in Lagos state,” he said.

Similarly, Kamaldeen Kabiawu, State Secretary, NUAHP, decried the delayed implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment, especially after the government approved a 35 per cent CONMESS adjustment for doctors in October 2024.

NAN reports that the strike will affect all state-owned health facilities – Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), general hospitals, and primary health centres (PHCs).

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