The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called for stricter penalties, including life imprisonment and potential death sentences, for those involved in the sale and distribution of fake drugs in Nigeria.
The PSN President, Pharm, made the announcement. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba announced during a press conference in Lagos ahead of his official inauguration and the investiture of 145 new PSN Fellows on Thursday.
The PSN‘s call for action comes as the National Assembly considers amendments to the Fake Drug Act to address the growing threat of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and substandard food products in the country.
Citing alarming statistics, Ayuba highlighted that research indicates over 50 per cent of drugs in circulation in Nigeria may be fake or substandard, a significant increase from the official estimates of 13–15 per cent.
The PSN emphasised that the dangers of fake drugs extend beyond financial losses, as these counterfeit medications have been linked to fatalities and therapeutic failures. Historical data presented during the conference showed that in 1988, 33 per cent of drugs in circulation were fake, with seven per cent proving fatal upon consumption. By 1998, the situation had worsened, with nearly 50 per cent of counterfeit drugs traceable to open drug markets and 12.8 per cent of incidents leading to fatalities.
Ayuba stressed the need for the National Assembly to expedite the amendment process and strengthen sanctions against fake drug peddlers.
“These fake drug dealers are de facto murderers. Anyone who tampers with life-saving commodities inherently sets out to kill. We propose stronger penalties, including life imprisonment, fines exceeding ₦20 million, or even the death sentence for offenders,” Ayuba stated.
The PSN commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for recent enforcement actions, including sealing the Sabogeri Drug Market following Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) launch in Kano. CWCs are structured, well-regulated drug distribution centres meant to replace unregulated open drug markets.
However, Ayuba criticised the slow implementation of CWCs in Lagos, Anambra, and Abia states, where construction has barely progressed, urging the federal government to expedite the establishment of these centres to ensure the safe distribution of pharmaceuticals.
Beyond fake drug regulation, the PSN president also addressed governance issues in the pharmaceutical sector. He pointed out that many government agencies violate existing laws by stocking and dispensing drugs without employing qualified pharmacists. He says less than 25 per cent of federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) comply with regulations requiring a registered pharmacy and superintendent pharmacist.
The PSN vowed to take legal and advocacy steps to address these violations and ensure that pharmacists play their rightful role in healthcare delivery.
The press conference also served as a prelude to the inauguration of the PSN President and the investiture of 145 new PSN Fellows. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025, in Abuja.
The newly inducted fellows include key figures from the public and private sectors, including members of the National Assembly, government executives, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and military officials.
As the PSN embarks on a new leadership era, it aims to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and the media to combat the dangers of counterfeit drugs and promote pharmaceutical excellence in Nigeria. “We must act decisively to safeguard public health. The fight against fake drugs is a fight for the survival of our people,” Ayuba averred.
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