The House of Representatives has raised concerns about the rising spate of substandard drugs being imported into Nigeria, exposing their users to danger.
The House also said the current crisis in China due to coronavirus outbreak is a threat to Nigeria’s drugs production as the majority of the latter imports active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients from the former.
At the plenary on Tuesday, the House mandated the Committees on Health Institutions, Health Care Services, and Science and Technology to organise a roundtable to “chart a probable course for the development of locally made drugs.”
The House also urged the Federal Government to invest more in the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development to encourage local and indigenous research, as well as to revisit the National Drug Policy as a way to promote the local medical industry.
These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by Mr Dennis Idahosa, titled ‘Need to check the Rise of Drug Insecurity and to Encourage Indigenous Production of Drugs in Nigeria.’
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: 2,000 surgical masks stolen from French hospital
Moving the motion, Idahosa said,
“The House is aware that Nigeria is largely dependent on China, among other countries, for the importation of active and non-active ingredients for the production of drugs.
China has recently been inflicted with a coronavirus that has paralysed its economy, thus rendering it unable to produce or export those necessary ingredients or medicine.
“The House recalls that the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Administration Drug, at an event on the 18th of February, 2020, raised the alarm that the outbreak of coronavirus in China has the capacity to result in the uprising of drug insecurity.
It also recalls that one of Nigeria’s National Drug Policy target was the increase in local production capacity to a level where 70 per cent of total output satisfies at least 60 per cent of national drug requirements of essential drugs, while the balance is exported by 2008.
“The House is cognizant of the fact that Nigeria does not produce drugs locally or the ingredients to make the drugs on a large commercial scale, and that Nigeria import over 70 per cent of the drugs majorly from China. Even when coronavirus is eradicated in future, Nigeria should continue to take the bold step in encouraging ‘Made in Nigeria’ drugs, especially as part of its policy to encourage more locally made drugs.”
Meanwhile, the House, also on Tuesday, urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to “be alive to their responsibilities as provided in the relevant Acts” by ensuring that they checkmate drug abuse among the youth.
The House also urged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to exercise control by ensuring that only qualified pharmacists are allowed to run pharmaceutical shops.
Also, the parliament urged the National Orientation Agency to embark on media campaigns against drug abuse, while sensitising citizens on the disastrous effects of drug abuse on individuals involved and the society at large.
Furthermore, the chamber called on parents to “be alive to their responsibilities in giving their children proper upbringing.”
These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion titled ‘Need to Control Indiscriminate Use of Drugs and Narcotics by Nigerian Youths,’ as moved by Omowunmi Ogunlola.
Moving the motion, Ogunlola said,
“The House is worried by the rate that drugs are abused mainly by the youth, which has reached an alarming rate, with its attendant consequences given that the youth are the future of any country, and if a sizeable number of youths continually engage in drugs abuse, it may spell doom for the future of the nation.
“It was in appreciation of the need to combat the above situation that the Federal Government established the NDLEA and NAFDAC and to eradicate the menace of drug abuse.
The House is alarmed that despite statutory measures put in place to eradicate indiscriminate use and abuse of drugs, there seems to be little or no impact judging by the reports from the media on incessant abuse of drugs.
“The House is aware that there are increasing incidents of a misdemeanour, resulting in harassment and unruly behaviour on the part of the youth, resulting in unbridled killings of fellow citizens, even in some unbelievable circumstances involving children killing their parents.
The House is worried that if the trend continues unabated, Nigerian streets may be populated by lunatics in the next 10 years.”
