The Nigerian House of Representatives has put forward a proposal advocating life imprisonment for individuals involved in the manufacture and importation of counterfeit drugs.
This resolution was passed during Thursday’s plenary session, following a motion of urgent public importance raised by Muktar Shagaya, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Kwara State.
Lawmakers have urged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to introduce amendments to existing laws, ensuring harsher penalties for those convicted of trafficking in fake pharmaceuticals.
The motion comes in response to the increasing prevalence of counterfeit drugs and substandard products in Nigeria in recent years.
Shagaya, while presenting the motion, expressed deep concern over the growing crisis, stating that it poses a significant threat to public health, national security, and economic stability.
“Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately N15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods as reported by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“The unchecked proliferation of fake products not only jeopardises consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that current regulations have failed to curb the menace due to weak enforcement, corruption, and the lack of severe punishments for offenders.
According to him, many perpetrators continue their illicit trade because of “lenient fines and bailable sentences,” which allow them to operate without fear of consequences.
He stressed the need for a national state of emergency to bolster enforcement efforts, fortify regulatory agencies, and introduce tougher sanctions against those engaged in the illegal trade of counterfeit drugs.
The motion was adopted unanimously through a voice vote presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, without any debate.
Following this resolution, the House called on the federal government to enhance the operational capacity of regulatory agencies, particularly the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Customs Service, by equipping them with adequate funding, modern tools, and advanced technology for effective surveillance, detection, and enforcement.