House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to come up with severe sanctions, including life imprisonment, for individuals and entities involved in the production and importation of fake drugs into the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Tolani Shagaya, (APC- Kwara state, at the plenary session in Abuja.
While moving the motion, Hon Shagaya decried the devastating impact of counterfeit drugs on public health, citing the rising cases of fatalities, complications, and loss of trust in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical system. He emphasized the urgent need for more stringent legal measures to deter the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines.
According to him, “The circulation of fake and substandard drugs is not just a criminal act but an assault on public health and safety. It has led to countless avoidable deaths and suffering. The current penalties are grossly inadequate in addressing the gravity of this offense,” Shagaya stated.
He warned that this development poses a serious threat to public health, national security, and the country’s economic stability.
While citing reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), he emphasized that Nigeria remains one of the worst-affected countries by counterfeit medicines, which contribute to thousands of preventable deaths each year.
According to him, “The House notes with concern the recent seizure of counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion by NAFDAC during a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State. This incident underscores the alarming scale of the menace posed by fake goods in the country.
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“Furthermore, the House is deeply troubled by reports from the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), which estimate that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard products. The unchecked proliferation of fake goods not only endangers consumer health and safety but also undermines investor confidence in the food and pharmaceutical industries.”
“The House is deeply concerned that, despite existing regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and the lack of stringent penalties have emboldened offenders to persist in activities that endanger public health.”
“It acknowledges that the current legal framework fails to provide adequate deterrence, as lenient fines and bailable sentences allow offenders to repeatedly engage in illicit trade with impunity.”
He further emphasized the urgent need for a national state of emergency to enhance enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory institutions, and impose stricter sanctions on offenders.
When the motion was put into voice vote It was unanimously supported by members.
The House called on the Federal Government to enhance the capacity of key regulatory agencies NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigerian Customs Service, by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology to improve surveillance, detection, and enforcement against counterfeit products.
Additionally, the House urged the government to establish a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to expedite investigations and prosecutions of individuals and businesses engaged in counterfeiting.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a thorough investigation into the rising prevalence of counterfeit products and recommend legislative measures to address regulatory loopholes.
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