COVID-19: Kogi socio-cultural group warns on dangers of fake drugs

Kogi socio-cultural group,  Ujache Igala Association (UIA) has warned on claims and counter claims of discoveries of drugs that could be applied on COVID-19 patients, saying that such medicines must be scientifically proved. 

The National Chairman of the Association,  Chief Goodman Farouq Akwu noted that government must not allow researchers in the field of medicine locally or abroad to use COVID-19 patients as tests to ascertain the efficacy of their drugs. 

Chief Akwu said: “The only way government can find cure for COVID-19 is that any claim must be scientifically proved before it is administered on carriers of coronavirus. 

“The idea of applying drug that its efficacy is doubtful in the sense that it will be administered on carriers to confirm the efficacy of the work or product(s) should not arise.  Nigerians are not Guinea pigs. 

He said nobody should in the guise of past achievements claim to have found cure for the coronavirus, insisting that administering of fake drugs is more dangerous than the virus itself. 

“Let no body hide under any guise or past glory to kill more than the disease can with fake drugs. 

“What government need to do is to invite as many as possible those claiming the discovery of coronavirus cure, be it orthodox or non orthodox, be it wine, grass, milk or powdered form, be it in cachet, bottle or plastic to prove their claims.

“Government’s relevant agencies in conjunction with NCDC should subject their work to serious laboratory analysis or test to see how effective there are”, he said. 

The Association commended the Federal government for its relentless effort at tackling the pandemic.