SUICIDES: NAFDAC to adopt stricter measures for distribution, use of sniper

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday said it would ensure stricter measures in the use and distribution of Dichlorvos or 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, popularly known as sniper.

Dr Husman Bukar, the Director, Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate, NAFDAC, said this at the launch of a herbicide (Lifeline), produced by United Phosphorous Limited (UPL).

The product launched at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, was also developed with UPL, IITA and Springfield Agro Company Lagos.

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He said the product (sniper)had been linked to suicide cases in recent times.

He added that the agency would ensure that the products do not get to people other than accredited distributors and marketers.

“Recently, some suicide cases have been associated with people drinking Snipper, henceforth, we call on the agro-chemical industry to enhance their distribution channels so that this product (Sniper) gets to only accredited distributors and marketers.

“We have also placed a ban on the manufacture of smaller packs of Snipper which are easily purchased for household use.”

By Babatunde Alao…

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