LASCOPA visits traditional medicine regulatory body

In a bid to curb the rampant sales of unregistered herbal drugs, particularly on social media platforms, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) recently.

The visit was aimed at fostering collaboration between the two agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of Lagos residents.

During the meeting, Mr. Afolabi Solebo, the General Manager of LASCOPA, emphasized the growing concern over the proliferation of unregistered and potentially harmful herbal medicines being marketed online. He noted that the ease of access to these unregulated products poses significant health risks to consumers.

“The rise in the number of unregistered herbal drugs being sold on social media platforms is alarming. Many of these products have not undergone the necessary safety evaluations, and their efficacy is often questionable. This not only endangers public health but also undermines the credibility of genuine traditional medicine practitioners,” said Solebo.

Prince Babatunde Adele, the Registrar of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), welcomed the initiative and expressed the board’s readiness to collaborate with LASCOPA. He highlighted the importance of regulating the traditional medicine sector to ensure that practitioners adhere to established standards and that only safe, approved products are made available to the public.

“We are committed to upholding the integrity of traditional medicine in Lagos State. By working closely with LASCOPA, we can strengthen our regulatory frameworks and take decisive action against those who flout the rules. Our goal is to protect consumers and promote the use of authentic and safe herbal medicines,” Adele stated.

Both agencies agreed to set up a joint technical committee to map out strategies to regulate the safe sales of herbal products and traditional practice on social media platforms. This technical committee will identify and take action against vendors who sell unregistered products, ensuring that they are either brought into compliance or removed from the market.

Additionally, the agencies plan to launch public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the dangers of unregistered herbal drugs and the importance of purchasing products from reputable sources. They also aim to provide a platform for consumers to report suspicious products and vendors.

The courtesy visit marks the beginning of a concerted effort to safeguard public health and maintain the standards of traditional medicine in Lagos State. With the combined efforts of LASCOPA and LSTMB, it is hoped that the issue of unregistered herbal drugs will be effectively addressed, ensuring a safer marketplace for all consumers.