Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs Should Not Unfairly Impact Legitimate Traders – HOR

The House of Representatives has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure that its efforts to rid the country of counterfeit and substandard medicines do not unfairly impact legitimate traders.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent Public Importance sponsored by a member from Anambra State, Afam Victor Ogene.

Ogbene while commending NAFDAC’s efforts to rid the country of Counterfeit drugs noted that the agency’s recent actions in medicine markets in Idumota, Lagos state, Ariaria, in Aba, Abia state, and Onitsha, in Anambra state, have caused significant disruptions to businesses and livelihoods.

The Lawmaker expressed concern over reports that NAFDAC officials sealed the affected markets, denied traders and their leadership entry, and carted away pharmaceuticals without allowing owners to witness the operation or take inventory.

According to him, this approach, he argued, makes accountability difficult and dents the integrity of the operation.

The House mandated its committee on NAFDAC to investigate these concerns, with a view to ensuring that the livelihoods of innocent vendors engaged in legitimate businesses in the affected markets are not unfairly impacted.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji