The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has apprehended and arraigned three individuals and a healthcare company involved in the manufacturing and distribution of falsified medicines.
NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement on Friday, stating that the arraignment took place today, at the Federal High Court in Kano.
The accused, Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwudili, Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie, and Giddyson Healthcare Limited, face a five-count charge for the manufacture, sale and distribution of substandard and falsified medicines.
“The effort of NAFDAC, under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to rid the Nigerian market of substandard and falsified medicine is a continuous one. This is borne out of the fact that lives are at stake as these violators seek to profit from their nefarious trade in illicit medicines,” NAFDAC said.
“The Agency is aware that they will continue to try, but NAFDAC is determined and resolute to be ahead of them. To this end, we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those who choose to profit off our lives as a people. In reality, they pose an existential threat to us and our loved ones.”
The syndicates are involved in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of several falsified medicines, as stated below:
Asian Ampicillin 125 mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension for children – Zero active ingredients.
Asian Ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
Erythromycin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg + Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) suspension for children – Zero active ingredient
For clarity, from the NAFDAC Kaduna Laboratory Services testing, there is no trace of medicine in the formulations. This puts the patient in danger of treatment failure and possible death.
NAFDAC disclosed that the products were not registered by NAFDAC; the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the label.
It noted that the illegal factory, located in Tafa town and Tafa local government, Niger State, has been sealed. Their illicit trade was uncovered following information and a discrete investigation that led to their arrest.
“NAFDAC maintains a zero-tolerance position on substandard and falsified medicine. We crave the partnership of all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of humanity in this fight. If you see something, please say something. Together, we can rid our society of the menace of substandard and falsified medicine.”
