Mathew Amaechi
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has made a bold call for the implementation of the death penalty for those involved in the production and distribution of fake drugs in Nigeria. This demand comes as the country grapples with the devastating effects of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, which continue to endanger millions of lives.
Prof. Adeyeye, in a recent statement, lamented the widespread circulation of substandard and falsified drugs, emphasizing the severe consequences they pose to public health. She noted that fake drugs are responsible for countless preventable deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women.
“We must treat drug counterfeiting as a capital offense because these criminals are knowingly putting people’s lives at risk. The penalties should be as severe as the damage they inflict on society,” Adeyeye stated.
The NAFDAC boss urged lawmakers to push for stricter legislation, arguing that the current penalties are not strong enough to deter the thriving black market of counterfeit drugs. She believes that implementing the death penalty would serve as a strong deterrent to those engaged in the illicit trade, thereby reducing the alarming rate of fake drug-related fatalities.
Nigeria has long struggled with the menace of counterfeit drugs, with criminal networks taking advantage of regulatory loopholes to flood the market with dangerous substances. The consequences of consuming fake drugs range from treatment failure and drug resistance to fatal toxic effects.
Public reactions to Prof. Adeyeye’s proposition have been mixed, with some Nigerians supporting the call for capital punishment, while others advocate for life imprisonment or other severe penalties instead. Human rights organizations have also weighed in, urging the government to explore other legal measures that ensure justice without resorting to the death penalty.
As the debate continues, NAFDAC has intensified its efforts to crack down on fake drug dealers, including increased surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and collaborations with international health organizations.
Whether or not the death penalty will be instituted remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle against counterfeit drugs in Nigeria is far from over, and stronger measures are necessary to protect the lives of citizens.
