The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for a stiffer penalty for manufacturers and importers of counterfeit drugs into the country.
The Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, while speaking at an award ceremony organised by the Institute for Government Research & Leadership Technology,? yesterday? in Lagos, said? this would help immensely? to? sanitise the industry.
He urged the? relevant? government? authorities to collaborate with? NAFDAC?? to? stem?? the?? tide?? of?? fake? drugs.
He recommended stiffer penalties for couriers and manufacturers of fake and counterfeit drugs? such? as?? life?? imprisonment ,? and called on lawmakers to ensure that victims of such drugs are compensated.
Orhii, however, revealed that NAFDAC had acquired modern machines and technology that were capable of detecting fake and counterfeit drugs?? quickly?? and? with some? of? the? tools? already? being?? put to use in some parts of the country.
Speaking on the theme: “Issues in Standardisation and Certification,”?? Orhii?? challenged Nigerian manufacturers to produce quality goods of international standards.?
“ We need industrial re-orientation with emphasis on research and development. Nigeria is so blessed that merely developing and harnessing its natural resources could provide enough for the people. If we develop our agriculture, we could become large exporters of mushrooms, yams, cocoyams, vegetables and cocoa,” he emphasised.