The House of Representatives has urged the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi to propose harsher sanctions, including life imprisonment, for producers and importers of fake drugs into the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by All Progressives Congress lawmaker Tolani Shagaya, and read on the floor during Thursday’s plenary.
According to him, this development poses significant threats to public health, national security, and the economic stability of the nation.
According to him, “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.”
“The House is concerned that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by the Standards Organization of Nigeria. The unchecked proliferation of fake products not only jeopardises consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries”.
Highlighting the importance of the motion, the lawmakers expressed concern over the alarming increase in the production, importation, and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food, and beverages across Nigeria.
