The activities of manufacturers of unregistered hand sanitizers that are now commonplace in the Nigerian market, has been frowned upon by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

This was stated on Thursday, by the head of the PTF, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, in his remarks at the team’s briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He lamented that a substantial quantity of alcohol-based hand sanitisers purchased by residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“As part of the non-pharmaceutical measures, we recommended in line with global practice, the use of hand sanitisers. Ordinarily, that ought to stimulate local production because of increased demand,” Mustapha told reporters at the briefing.

He added, “We regret to inform you that following a survey conducted by the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to check the influx of substandard goods into the market, it was revealed that 63% of alcohol-based sanitizers in Abuja do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.

“There could also be similar situations around the country. The Honourable Minister of Health has consequently issued an advisory to the general public to procure their sanitisers and other pharmaceutical products from credible sources.”