The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday, June 7, arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano, for manufacturing and selling falsified medicines for children.
The suspects/respondents are Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwiludili, Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie, and Giddyson Healthcare Limited.
When the case came out at the court on Friday, prosecution counsel, Oche Matthias Abutu, standing in for the federal government on behalf of the attorney general of the federation, slammed them with a five-count charge, including manufacturing of fake medicines, being in possession, distribution, and sale of falsified medicines.
DG/CEO of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who was represented by the Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Kasim Ibrahim, said the syndicate has been involved in manufacturing and selling of several falsified medicines, including Asian Ampicillin 125mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension for children -Zero active ingredient.
Others included Asian Ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children, zero active ingredient, Erythromycin 125mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredients, and Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg+ Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) powder for suspension for children –Zero active ingredients.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that all the drugs were mere powders without any active ingredients required for healing or curing a patient.
“For clarity, from the NAFDAC Kaduna Laboratory Services testing, there is no trace of medicine in the formulations. This puts the patient in danger of treatment failure and possible death.
“In addition, the products were not registered by NAFDAC, the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the label,” she added.
She disclosed that NAFDAC has sealed the illegal factory, located in Tafa town and Tafa local Government, Niger.
Prof. Adeyeye said the illicit trade was uncovered following information and a discrete investigation that led to their arrest.
She craved the partnership of all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of humanity in the fight against fraudsters, assuring that NAFDAC, under her leadership will maintain a zero-tolerance position on substandard and falsified medicine.
“The agency is aware that they (fraudsters) will continue to try, but NAFDAC is determined and resolute to be ahead of them. We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those who chose to profit off our lives as a people,” Prof. Adeyeye said.
However, the suspects pleaded not guilty when their lawyer asked for their bail. But hearing the submissions from the prosecuting lawyer and counsel to the defendants, Justice Simon Amobeda turned down the bail request. He fixed June 14 for the bail application and June 20 for the hearing.
