The counterfeit drugs crisis

The spread of substandard and counterfeit drugs, foods, and other consumables in Nigeria has become a serious issue, putting the health of millions at risk. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seems to have lost its sense of urgency and regulatory authority. Recent public outcry over fake products and explanations from NAFDAC officials should serve as a warning sign.

Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye attributes the crisis to longstanding regulatory weaknesses, while Director of Investigation and Enforcement Martins Iluyomade reveals that some Chinese nationals are allegedly involved in counterfeiting, operating within Nigeria. This raises the question: What has NAFDAC been doing to prevent these networks from forming and growing?

Foreign traders and other actors play a role, but the primary responsibility lies with Nigerian authorities and local collaborators who facilitate the manufacturing, importation, distribution, and sale of these products. NAFDAC's mandate includes regulating and controlling various products, ensuring they meet required standards, and punishing violators.

However, the continued presence of counterfeit products in major distribution centers suggests the current approach has not been effective. Comparing NAFDAC's current performance to former director-general Prof. Dora Akunyili's determined campaign against fake drugs between 2001 and 2008 raises concerns about the agency's ability to sustain its legacy.

While NAFDAC has conducted raids and seized counterfeit products worth over N1.5 trillion, destroying 64 convictions in a year, these measures alone are not enough. The underlying criminal networks must be dismantled, their financiers prosecuted, and their distribution channels permanently disrupted. NAFDAC needs a coordinated, sustained, and intelligence-driven strategy to address the issue, rather than relying on intermittent raids.

A national emergency on counterfeiting, fake drugs, and unsafe consumables should be declared, involving multiple institutions and translating into a comprehensive national response. Strengthening intelligence-gathering capacity, collaborating with other agencies, and making public reporting a meaningful part of enforcement are crucial steps.

State governments may also consider establishing dedicated agencies or commissions to combat counterfeit drugs and unsafe consumables. While the proposal for a death penalty or life imprisonment for manufacturers is worth considering, the immediate priority should be effective enforcement of existing laws and regulations.