Report by Juliana Ekong
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC on Friday, 7th, of June arraigned three syndicates involved in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of several falsified medicines.
The Falsified medicines are Asian Ampicillin 125mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension for children – Zero active ingredients.
Asian Ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
Erythromycin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg + Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General (DG) of NAFDAC gave the names of the illicit medicines traders who were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kano on a 5-count charge of manufacturing, sale, distribution of substandard and falsified medicines, as, ” Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwiludili, Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie and Giddyson Healthcare Limited.
According to her, ” the products were not registered by NAFDAC, the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the labe adding that, ” the illegal factory, located in Tafa town and Tafa local Government, Niger State has been sealed “
” Their illicit trade was uncovered following information and discrete investigation that led to their arrest ” the DG, NAFDAC said
She stressed that, the effort of the agency to rid the Nigerian market of substandard and falsified medicine is a continuous one, because lives are at stake as the violators seek to profit from their nefarious trade in illicit medicines.
” The Agency is aware that they will continue to try, but we are determined to be ahead of them, assuring that, she will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of those who chose to profit off your lives as a people. In reality, they pose existential threat to us and our loved ones “. Adeyeye said
She emphasized that, NAFDAC maintains zero tolerance position on substandard and falsified medicine. ” We crave the partnership of all well meaning Nigerians and lovers of humanity in this fight – asking the people to say something if they saw something ” insisting that, ” Together, we can rid our society of the menace of substandard and falsified medicine “.
Kasim Idrisa Ibrahim, Kano State Coordinator who presented Professor Mojisola Adeyeye’s message expressed dismay that the content of the drug that was supposed to shield the person was not there, meaning that there is only powder, bottle and water.
” All the drugs are actually for the vulnerable group, which are children “. Asked if they all pleaded guilty, Kasim said, they all pleaded not guilty and the count charges are five “.
Responding to what will happen to the suspects in case they are found guilty, the Assistant Director Legal representing the agency, Barr Abutu Oche Mathias noted that, ” of the five count charges, three are of the counterfeit charge and the penalty under the that is a fine of not more than five million, ( 5m ) naira and a prison term not exceeding eighteen years ( 18 years ).
” The other two counts are under the food and drugs Act, rated registration that is CAP F32 and F33. The penalty under those particular Act are actually fifty thousand naira ( 50,000 ) and then two years imprisonment, not exceeding that.” Abutu
According to him, the first two – third has five million naira ( 5m ) and then prision term of no exceeding 15 years or both, those are the penalties that they have been charged today.
Asked how the numerous activities can be stopped, NAFDAC Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Officer Northern Zone, Mr Andrew Jabador, says one of the ways is to purnish them for the offence to serve as deterrent to others.
” Please always look for products that are registered with the agency and report the ones that are not registered “. adding that when you pick a product and it reads PO. Box, it is fake because NAFDAC will not accept PO Box as a company address “. He warned.