The Kano State Task Force on fake, counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed foods said it had arrested 270 hawkers of illegal drugs in Kano from January to date.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Abdul Umar, disclosed this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday.

He said the hawkers were arrested in various parts of Kano metropolis while exposing the items in the sun.

``The task force also sensitizes patent medicine shop owners to ensure that only genuine drugs are stocked in their shops,’’ he said.

He added that PPMV's were also sensitised on the need to sell drugs that are contained in PPMVL approved list issued by the PCN.

According to him, the task force had closed over 1,000 patent medicine shops which were found to have violated the laws of the government on their operation in the state.

He said some of the shops were re-opened after registration or complying with the provisions of the law.

He said following the rampant cases of drug abuse in the state, particularly codeine which contains cough preparation, the committee banned the sale of the item in patent medicine stores or outlets.

``Statistics released by NAFDAC shows that Kano state has the highest rate of drug abuse in the whole country.

``The three main drugs used by the abusers are codeine containing cough syrup preparations, tramadol and Pentazocine,’’ he said.

He added that the increase in the reported cases of using these substances, most especially among the youths and married women, raised a serious concern to the state government.

``Sabon Gari Market has been identified as a major source of supply of these substances and dumping of fake, counterfeit, expired and substandard drugs,’’ he said.

``This year alone the state government has destroyed fake drugs worth N528 million,’’ he added. (NAN)

Photo shows: NAFDAC DG Orhii