Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, the House resolved to urge the Attorney General to initiate amendments to existing laws, recommending life imprisonment for individuals involved in the production and importation of fake drugs. The resolution also proposed significant fines for businesses caught dealing in counterfeit goods.
Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives has called on the Attorney General of the Federation to propose harsher penalties, including life imprisonment, for individuals involved in the production and importation of fake drugs in Nigeria.
The resolution was passed during Thursday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Tolani Shagaya, a lawmaker from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his motion, Shagaya expressed concern over the rising incidence of counterfeit drugs, food, beverages, and other substandard goods in the country. He warned that the proliferation of fake products poses serious threats to public health, national security, and economic stability.
Citing reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Shagaya noted that Nigeria remains one of the most affected countries by counterfeit medicines, leading to thousands of preventable deaths annually.
“The House is aware that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, highlighting the widespread nature of this menace,” he stated.
He also referenced a report by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), which estimates that Nigeria suffers economic losses of about ₦15 trillion annually due to the influx of fake and substandard goods. According to him, the continued circulation of counterfeit products not only endangers consumers but also discourages legitimate investment in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
The lawmaker stressed that despite existing regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and lenient penalties have emboldened counterfeiters, allowing them to operate with impunity.
He urged the government to declare a national state of emergency on counterfeit goods to intensify enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory agencies, and impose stricter sanctions on offenders.
Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, the House resolved to urge the Attorney General to initiate amendments to existing laws, recommending life imprisonment for individuals involved in the production and importation of fake drugs. The resolution also proposed significant fines for businesses caught dealing in counterfeit goods.
The House further called on the Federal Government to enhance the capacity of regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigeria Customs Service by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology to improve surveillance, detection, and enforcement operations.
Additionally, lawmakers recommended the establishment of a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of those involved in counterfeiting.
To further address the issue, the House directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and propose legislative measures to close existing regulatory loopholes.
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