The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Tuesday, dismissed a report by a media outfit (not News Express), attributing a statement to the Executive Director of the Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, about the standard of drugs dispensed in Nigeria.

The report stated that the Executive Director reported that over 70% of drugs dispensed in Nigeria were substandard.

However, reacting to the report NPHCDA said the ED never made such a statement.

“The public relations unit of the agency can authoritatively report that the Executive Director never made such a statement anywhere in his engagements,” Mohammad Ohitoto, head, public relations.

Continuing, he said: “Furthermore, the Executive Director is aware that drug administration and monitoring is outside the Agency’s mandate, and it is incorrect to assert that 7 out of every 10 drugs in Nigeria is substandard.

“NPHCDA has re-examined all external materials and online platforms, and will ensure that this inaccurate information is not communicated by NPHCDA, to avoid any misunderstanding.”

Ohitoto commended the efforts of the media to report facts as well as commitment to professionalism, saying: “As always, we appreciate the media’s intention is to report facts and dutifully inform the public – and we thank them for their efforts.”