The House of Representatives has called on the Attorney General of the Federation to propose tougher sanctions, including life imprisonment, for individuals involved in the production and importation of fake drugs in Nigeria.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by All Progressives Congress lawmaker, Tolani Shagaya, during Thursday’s plenary session.
Shagaya raised concerns over the growing cases of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food, and beverages in the country, describing them as serious threats to public health, national security, and economic stability.
“The World Health Organisation and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have repeatedly warned that Nigeria is one of the most affected countries globally by counterfeit medicines, contributing to thousands of avoidable deaths annually,” Shagaya stated.
He highlighted that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion during a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.
“Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by the Standards Organization of Nigeria. This not only puts consumers at risk but also discourages genuine investments in the food and pharmaceutical industries,” he added.
The House expressed concern that weak enforcement, corruption, and lenient penalties have emboldened offenders. “Despite existing regulations, offenders often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity,” Shagaya noted.
The lawmakers unanimously supported the motion, urging the Attorney General to amend existing laws to impose stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for fake drug producers and importers, and hefty fines for businesses dealing in counterfeit goods.
They also called on the Federal Government to strengthen regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Customs Service by providing more funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology for better surveillance and enforcement.
Additionally, the House recommended the creation of a special task force made up of security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of counterfeit-related cases.
The House further directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to carry out a detailed investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and suggest legislative actions to address regulatory gaps.
