Pius Nsabe
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has debunked speculations surrounding the charges imposed during recent enforcement operations at open drug markets in the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency clarified that all charges levied against defaulters at the Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota drug markets were in line with Federal Government-approved regulations.
According to NAFDAC, two key administrative charges were enforced: an investigative fee of N5 million for the sale of unregistered products, which was later reduced to N200,000 after pleas; and a separate N2 million charge for violating Good Storage and Distribution Practices, also reduced to N500,000.
“These are Federal Government gazetted charges and payments,” the statement signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said.
The agency also disclosed that the affected shops and warehouses did not meet the basic standards of operation and had no proof of registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, violating existing drug laws.
Between February 9 and March 27, NAFDAC had carried out massive raids across the three major open drug markets, seizing and destroying banned, fake, expired and substandard drugs valued at over a trillion naira.
Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would continue to operate within its legal mandate to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products used across the country.
“Our goal is to reduce preventable deaths from fake drugs and improve life expectancy among vulnerable populations,” she added.
Recall that social media activist, Martin Otse, popularly called Very Dark Man, recently posted a video of his visit to the Ogbogu Market in Onitsha where the affected traders had alleged that they were being made to pay up to N700,000 each before their shops will be opened.
Meanwhile, Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi has also criticised NAFDAC, describing the alleged action as an extortion that further stifles the businesses of struggling Nigerians.
