NAFDAC Calls for Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers Amid Rising Concerns Over Counterfeit Medicines
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, has advocated for the implementation of the death penalty for drug traffickers, particularly those whose actions jeopardize the health of children.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Adeyeye emphasized the need for stringent penalties, arguing that only such measures would effectively deter those engaged in the trade of counterfeit drugs. She cited a troubling incident where a children’s medicine, purchased for approximately N13,000, was found to be sold for only N3,000 at a mall, raising suspicions of its legitimacy.
Upon testing the medication at their laboratory in Kaduna, NAFDAC discovered that it contained no active ingredients. “You don’t need to put a gun to a child’s head to kill them. Just give them bad medicine,” Adeyeye stated, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
The NAFDAC chief called for collaborative efforts between the judiciary and the National Assembly to realize this proposal. She noted, “Fighting substandard and falsified medicines cannot be done in isolation. While the agency can undertake significant actions, the absence of strong deterrents poses a significant problem.”
Adeyeye highlighted the inadequacy of current penalties, pointing out a case where 225mg of Tramadol—a substance with potentially lethal effects—can lead to just a five-year prison sentence or a fine of N250,000. “It’s distressing that an offender can easily withdraw that amount from an ATM,” she remarked.
She stressed that the lack of strict measures enables individuals to repeatedly commit these crimes. “While we can advocate for change, if our legal framework is not robust and the judiciary does not impose firm consequences, this issue will persist,” she cautioned.
In her closing remarks, Adeyeye articulated a strong commitment to collaborating with lawmakers to reinforce penalties, declaring, “If you cause the death of a child due to faulty medicine, you deserve the ultimate punishment.”
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