The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned three persons suspected of producing several substandard and falsified medicines before a Kano High Court.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this during a virtual meeting which was held on Friday.
According to Adeyeye, who was represented by Kasim Idrisa Ibrahim, NAFDAC’s Kano State Coordinator, although, the trio pleaded not guilty to the 5-count charges brought against them, Adeyeye said they could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
The three persons arraigned before the Federal High Court, Kano are Mr. Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwiludili, Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie and Giddyson Healthcare Limited are facing a 5-count charge of manufacturing, sale, distribution of substandard and falsified medicines.
Three of the charges brought against the suspects came under Counterfeit Act, which carries a punishment of fine not exceeding N5 million or a prison sentence not exceeding 15 years imprisonment.
The other two charges against the suspects come under the Food and Drug Act, the penalty of which carries a N50,000 fine or two years imprisonment while the fifth charge which comes under the Food and Drug Registration Act carries the same penalty as the fourth charge.
Adeyeye lamented that the Agency would not relent in tracking the suspects as they pose existential threat to citizens of Nigeria.
While explaining the gravity of the offences , she said the suspects were involved in the production and sales of several falsified and fake products as stated below:
“Asian Ampicillin 125mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension for children has zero active ingredients.
“Asian Ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children also has zero active ingredient.
“Erythromycin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children has zero active ingredient.
“Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg + Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) suspension for children has zero active ingredient.”
According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC Kaduna Laboratory Services testing, shows that there is no trace of medicine in the formulations of the various drugs. “This puts the patient in danger of treatment failure and possible death,” she added.
In addition, she said the products were not registered by NAFDAC; the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the label.
“The illegal factory, located in Tafa town and Tafa Local Government, Niger State has been sealed. Their illicit trade was uncovered following information and discrete investigation that led to their arrest.”
She said NAFDAC maintains zero tolerance position on substandard and falsified medicines.
“We crave the partnership of all well meaning Nigerians and lovers of humanity in this fight – If you see something, please say something.”