In a bid to combat the alarming increase in counterfeit medications, the House of Representatives has proposed life imprisonment for producers and importers of fake drugs into the country.
The proposal was made during a plenary session on Thursday, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by All Progressives Congress lawmaker, Tolani Shagaya.
Shagaya expressed concern over the widespread production, importation, and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food, and beverages across Nigeria, posing significant threats to public health, national security, and economic stability.
He cited the World Health Organisation and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s warnings that Nigeria is one of the most affected countries in the world by counterfeit medicines, contributing to thousands of avoidable deaths annually.
The lawmaker also highlighted the economic losses, estimated at ₦15 trillion annually, due to counterfeit and substandard goods.
The House urged the Attorney General of the Federation to propose amendments to existing laws to impose stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for those involved in the production and importation of fake drugs, and significant fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods.
The lawmakers also directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive probe into the prevalence of counterfeit products and propose legislative measures to address regulatory gaps.
