Reps Caution NAFDAC Against Harming Innocent Drug Dealers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a motion of urgent public importance, cautioning the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), against hurting businesses of innocent traders during its operations in drug markets.

The sponsor of the motion, Hon. Afam Ogene (LP, Anambara) in his debate, acknowledged the ongoing efforts by NAFDAC to crack down on merchants of fake and counterfeit medicines.

Ogene stated that NAFDAC recently sealed medicine markets in Idumota, Lagos State; Ariaria in Aba, Abia State, and Onitsha in Anambra State.

The lawmaker noted the ongoing enforcement operations by NAFDAC at these drugs markets to rid the country of counterfeit and substandard drugs.

He, however, expressed concern that many people operating in the affected markets have complained about the blanket disruption of businesses, including those of innocent people, causing significant losses of goods and money.

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“Worried by the reports that NAFDAC sealed the affected markets and denied the traders and their leadership entry, while its officials proceeded to break into shops, carting away pharmaceuticals, without owners of such shops being allowed to witness the operation and take inventory.

“Further worried that such a brazen approach and unilateral break-in and confiscation of the goods from the markets, without allowing the leadership of the markets and the owners of the goods to witness the process, would make accountability difficult and also dents the integrity of the operation,” Ogene noted.

He emphasised disturbing reports that some traders and Point of Sale (PoS) operators were forced to leave significant amounts of cash in their shops during the sudden raid and closure of the markets over the weekend, with no clear means of recovering their funds, leading to frustrations and bewilderment.