The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has warned Nigerians against patronizing drug hawkers.

The agency said most of the drugs sold by hawkers are counterfeit, substandard, and expired, warning that the sellers of the medicines are merchants of death.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye said this today at the official flag-off of the agency’s media sensitisation workshop on the dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbides.

Prof Adeyeye said the menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to the healthcare delivery system in the country, adding that it underscores the agency’s resolute determination to eradicate the illicit trade.

According to her, drug hawkers are also the major distributors and suppliers of narcotic medicines to criminal networks such as armed bandits, insurgents, kidnappers, and armed robbers.