The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ridadu, has partnered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat the growing threat of fake, falsified, and substandard medicines.
NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized the collaboration’s necessity, citing its national security implications and the critical need for military support to dismantle major fake drug distribution networks in Kano, Idumota, Yaba, and Onitsha simultaneously.
She noted that the initiative has also brought in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in addition to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to strengthen coordination in the agency’s multi-pronged fight against fake drugs.
Speaking on an Arise TV program Monday night, Adeyeye reaffirmed her stance on the death penalty for fake drug peddlers while emphasizing the agency’s unwavering commitment to eradicating fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria.
She outlined the agency’s multi-faceted approach, which includes stringent regulatory measures, technological interventions, and strategic collaborations with key government agencies.
According to her, NAFDAC’s largest-ever nationwide crackdown on falsified drugs in open markets necessitates a partnership with the NSA for the deployment of security forces to strengthen enforcement.
“This is the biggest operation in NAFDAC’s history because we are dealing with a national security issue.
The crackdown is happening simultaneously in those open markets and it is the first time NAFDAC is carrying out such massive operations since it was established,” the DG said.
Emphasizing the devastating impact of fake drugs, particularly on children, she highlighted a recent case where four different pediatric medicines purchased in Kano were found to contain no active ingredients.
“A child cannot complain if a drug is not working. If a medicine given to a child results in death, then the perpetrators deserve the stiffest punishment,” she declared, insisting that the death penalty for drug peddlers whose actions result in loss of life is a strong deterrent and a necessary starting point in the fight against counterfeit medicines.
Addressing concerns about whether severe punishment acts as an effective deterrent, the DG acknowledged that while criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry persist despite the death penalty, stringent measures remain a critical part of the solution.
“When I joined NAFDAC, the prevalence of substandard medicines was about 17%, but over the last four years, we have brought it down to about 12-13%. This shows that our efforts are making an impact,” she noted.
The agency has also embraced technology to enhance drug traceability, through the GS1 barcoding system, NAFDAC can now monitor the movement of drugs, ensuring that only genuine products reach the market, the DG said.
According to her, the system was effectively used to track vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now being expanded to cover pediatric and maternal healthcare products.
Furthermore, she said NAFDAC has strengthened its oversight of imported medicines through pre-shipment testing, revealing that over 180 substandard products have been blocked from entering Nigeria.
“We physically inspect manufacturing sites abroad and ensure that only approved products enter the country. If any discrepancies are found, we blacklist and deregister the manufacturers,” she explained.
On the issue of porous borders, which enable the influx of counterfeit medicines, NAFDAC has signed MOUs with the NCS and NDLEA to enhance coordination and enforcement.
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“We are working more closely than ever because bad drugs affect everyone, including us and our families,” the DG said.
While the push for the death penalty for drug offenders remains controversial, with critics citing concerns about wrongful convictions and international human rights obligations, the NAFDAC DG maintained that penalties for drug-related offences must be significantly tougher.
“A fine of 250,000 Naira or five years in prison for an offence that could result in mass casualties is weak. If not death penalty, then life imprisonment should be considered to serve as a deterrent.
“NAFDAC’s intensified efforts, combined with technological innovations and strategic partnerships, reflect a resolute determination to combat the menace of fake drugs in Nigeria.
“As the fight continues, we remain steadfast in this mission to protect public health and ensure that every medicine on the market meets the highest safety and quality standards,” she argued.
