Fake Drug Producers Face Death Penalty - House of Representatives
posted 6th February 2025
The House of Representatives has called upon the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose amendments to existing laws that would impose stricter penalties, including the death penalty, on individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit and adulterated drugs in Nigeria. This resolution was passed following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara), in which lawmakers argued that current penalties are insufficient to deter offenders.
The House also urged the government to strengthen regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Customs Service by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology to enhance surveillance and enforcement capabilities. Additionally, lawmakers recommended establishing a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to expedite investigations and prosecutions of counterfeit drug producers.
Leading the debate, Shagaya expressed alarm over the increasing production, importation, and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food, and beverages across Nigeria, which pose significant threats to public health, national security, and economic stability. He highlighted that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and NAFDAC have identified Nigeria as one of the countries most affected by counterfeit medicines, contributing to thousands of avoidable deaths annually.
Shagaya cited a recent incident where NAFDAC seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue. He also noted that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by SON. He expressed concern that the unchecked proliferation of fake products not only endangers consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Despite existing regulations, Shagaya pointed out that weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and the absence of stringent penalties for offenders have emboldened perpetrators to continue endangering public health. He emphasized that the current legal framework does not provide sufficient deterrence, as offenders often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity. He concluded by stating that a national state of emergency is necessary to intensify enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory institutions, and impose stricter sanctions on perpetrators.
