By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has urged the federal government to immediately direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance, inspection and crackdown on fake drug manufacturers and distributors across the country.
This is even as the green chamber condemned the criminal act of producing and distributing fake drugs, and commended law enforcement agencies involved in uncovering of production of fake drugs in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
This followed a motion of urgent public important moved during plenary yesterday by Nnamdi Ezechi.
In his debate, the lawmaker described as shocking and unfortunate, the recent discovery of a warehouse and fake drug production factory in a village in Osisioma Ngwa, informing that different counterfeit and expired pharmaceutical products and injectables were being produced and distributed for public consumption from the factory.
Ezechi disclosed that the illegal factory was engaged in the rebranding of expired drugs by altering their expiry dates and manufacturing fake medications with a concomitant danger to public health and safety.
He noted that the consumption of fake and substandard drugs had led to severe health complications, drug resistance, treatment failures and even loss of lives, thereby undermining the healthcare system in Nigeria.
Lawmakers who spoke during the debate raised concerns that this incident was not isolated, as similar cases had been uncovered across the country, indicating a widespread public health crisis that requires immediate intervention.
The lawmakers expressed worry that the circulation of fake and substandard drugs had contributed to high mortality rate in Nigeria, with unsuspecting citizens consuming ineffective or harmful medications which worsen illnesses and cause avoidable deaths.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Health, and Drugs and Narcotics to investigate the proliferation of fake drugs and engage stakeholders to develop stronger policies for combating counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
It also directed NAFDAC to increase public awareness campaigns on the dangers of fake drugs and introduce more advanced tracking and authentication system to help consumers verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products before purchase.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to collaborate with security agencies inorder to implement stricter penalties for individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of fake drugs to ensure that culprits are made to face the full weight of the law.
…Direct NSA, COAS, IGP To Flush Out Kidnappers, Banditry
House of Representatives has directed the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Oluyede Olufemi, and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to jointly launch a special operation to flush out bandits in Katsina State and Nigeria at large.
The House also urged the IGP and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to expedite the deployment of more security personnel to tackle killings and kidnapping by bandits in Kafur/Malumfashi community in Katsina State.
This was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mohammed Ibrahim.
In his debate, Ibrahim noted that increase in banditry had resulted in the killing and kidnapping of innocent citizens in Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency.
He noted that the incessant banditry in Malumfashi town, Marabar Kankara, Na Alma and other villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area, including Yari Bori, Gidan Kaura, Kuringafa and other villages in Kafur Local Government Area had led to the displacement of many communities and migration of influential and rich people due to fear of being kidnapped or killed by bandits.
He expressed worry that most of the victims are young women and children between three and four years old, as well as security personnel.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Army, Police and National Security to ensure strict compliance.
