NAFDAC DG Reveals Threats to Life Amid New Regulatory Actions

 

Abuja Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has expressed concern over threats to her life and the safety of agency employees, urging authorities to safeguard them as they perform their jobs in dangerous environments.

She also supported the death penalty for Nigerians who manufacture and distribute counterfeit and phony medications.

Prof. Adeyeye revealed during a State House briefing held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday that NAFDAC has recently seized illegal drugs valued at over N1 trillion as part of an ongoing campaign against counterfeit and subpar pharmaceutical products.

The head of NAFDAC disclosed that 87 truckloads of prohibited, out-of-date, and subpar medical supplies had been seized as a result of the agency's stepped-up enforcement actions. Male and female condoms, antiviral medications given by USAID and UNFPA, and other tainted medical equipment were among the goods seized.

The extensive operation, which focused on Nigeria's three main open drug marketplaces, was the largest in NAFDAC's history, she said. The procedure was carried out in:

Markets in Ariaria and Eziukwu (Aba, Abia State)

Market at Bridge Head (Onitsha, Anambra State)

Drug Market in Idumota, Lagos State

Professor Adeyeye calculated that the confiscated goods were worth at least N1 trillion, but he pointed out that additional analysis might show a larger amount.

The DG of NAFDAC described how employees have been the target of physical threats and kidnapping attempts because of their jobs.

About six months ago, I informed you about the attempted murder. Because he was performing his duties, one of our employees in Kano had his child abducted. Luckily, the kid got away," she disclosed.

"In Abuja and Lagos, I have two police officers that live in my home all the time. lack a life. cannot leave without being escorted by police. I don't want to live that way, but I can't because we have to save our nation. However, I also apply common sense.

Prof. Adeyeye's threats are similar to those faced by Prof. Dora Akunyili, who oversaw NAFDAC from 2001 to 2009 and was targeted by drug cartels for her unrelenting efforts to combat counterfeit medications.

The tragedy of her sister, who passed away after ingesting counterfeit insulin, served as Akunyili's inspiration. Numerous threats and even an assassination attempt in 2003 resulted from her initiatives, which closed outdoor drug markets and seized counterfeit drugs.

Despite the risks, Prof. Adeyeye is just as committed as Akunyili to ending the phony drug problem.

Prof. Adeyeye underlined the necessity of harsher penalties, such as the death penalty, for individuals putting lives in danger by using counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

In order to stop the potentially fatal trade in fake medications, she encouraged the Nigerian government to enact stricter legislation.

To safeguard the public's health and rebuild trust in Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector, NAFDAC is stepping up its enforcement efforts across the country.