Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, unanimously tasked Federal Government and security agencies with the urgent need to implement stricter penalties against individuals and organisations involved in production and distribution of fake drugs across the country.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, who solicited the House intervention to ensure that culprits face the full weight of the law.
In his lead debate, Hon. Ezechi expressed grave concern over the recent discovery of a warehouse and fake drug production factory in a village in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, where counterfeit and expired pharmaceutical products, including injectables, were being produced and distributed for public consumption.
While stressing the need for proactive steps toward putting end to the heinous crime, Hon. Ezechi observed that the “illegal factory was engaged in the rebranding of expired drugs by altering their expiry dates and manufacturing fake medications, which pose a grave danger to public health and safety.
“The House further notes that the consumption of fake and substandard drugs can lead to severe health complications, drug resistance, treatment failures, and even loss of lives, thereby undermining the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“The House is concerned that this incident is not isolated, as similar cases of counterfeit drug manufacturing and distribution have been uncovered across the country, indicating a widespread public health crisis that requires immediate intervention.
“The House is worried that the circulation of fake and substandard drugs has contributed to the high mortality rate in Nigeria, with unsuspecting citizens consuming ineffective or harmful medications, which worsens illnesses and causes avoidable deaths.
“The House is cognizant that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant agencies are responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria, and that urgent measures must be taken to strengthen their enforcement mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.”
While condemning in the strongest terms the criminal act of producing and distributing fake drugs, and commending the law enforcement agencies involved in uncovering the illegal operation in Osisioma Ngwa LGA, the lawmakers urged Federal Government to immediately direct NAFDAC, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance, inspections, and crackdowns on fake drug manufacturers and distributors nationwide.
To this end, the House mandated the Joint Committees on Health and the Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to investigate the proliferation of fake drugs in Nigeria and engage with stakeholders to develop stronger policies for combating counterfeit pharmaceutical production.
The House also called on NAFDAC to increase public awareness campaigns on the dangers of fake drugs and introduce more advanced tracking and authentication systems to help consumers verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products before purchase.
