NAFDAC DG Raises Alarm Over Threat To Life

NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye advocated for harsher penalties, including the death penalty, for those involved in the illicit drug trade.
She described the large-scale operation, which targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets, as the biggest in NAFDAC’s history.
She said the Agency Seized Over N1 Trillion Worth of Expired Drugs

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised concerns about the safety of NAFDAC staff members, including herself, as they face hazardous conditions in their efforts to combat the production and sale of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.

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Eko Hot Blog gathered that in a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Adeyeye urged authorities to provide better protection for NAFDAC personnel. She also advocated for harsher penalties, including the death penalty, for those involved in the illicit drug trade.

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NAFDAC has recently made significant progress in its crackdown on counterfeit drugs, seizing illicit drugs worth over N1 trillion.

Adeyeye highlighted the link between these narcotics and the rise in drug abuse, crime, and insecurity in the country.

The NAFDAC boss revealed that the agency’s intensified enforcement efforts had resulted in the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medical products.

Among the confiscated items were USAID- and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies.

She described the large-scale operation, which targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets, as the biggest in NAFDAC’s history. The operation was executed in:

Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)

Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State) Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)

Professor Adeyee announced that the agency had seized counterfeit drugs worth an estimated N1 trillion in its ongoing crackdown against illicit pharmaceutical products.

However, Adeyeye acknowledged that further assessment might reveal an even higher figure.

While the agency has made significant progress in its fight against counterfeit drugs, Adeyeye expressed concern over the safety of NAFDAC staff members, who have faced kidnapping attempts and physical threats in the line of duty

“I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she revealed.

NAFDAC DG Raises Alarm Over Threat To Life

“For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts.

That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense.”

AKUNYILI’S LEGACY AND THE BATTLE AGAINST FAKE DRUGS

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the current Director-General of NAFDAC is facing challenges reminiscent of those encountered by her predecessor, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

Akunyili led NAFDAC from 2001 to 2009 and became a target of drug cartels due to her relentless fight against counterfeit drugs.

Motivated by the tragic death of her sister from fake insulin, Akunyili launched successful campaigns that led to the closure of open-air drug markets and the confiscation of fake drugs.

However, her efforts also resulted in numerous threats and even an assassination attempt in 2003.

Despite the risks involved, Prof. Adeyeye remains determined to carry on the battle against counterfeit drugs.

She stresses the importance of implementing stricter punishments, including the death penalty, for those who endanger lives through the production and sale of fake drugs.

She urged the Nigerian government to implement stronger laws to curb the life-threatening trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.