By Ijendu Iheaka
A pressure group, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has called for the probe of officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), especially those in charge of certifying as wholesome and fit for importation into the country, drugs and other goods most of which are turning up in the market as fake or substandard.
The group also demanded tighter scrutiny of the drugs and goods at Nigeria’s sea ports to curtail the influx of fake and sub-standard products into the country.
COSEYL made the call on Wednesday in a press release signed by its President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The group expressed shock over high levels of corruption, compromise and unprofessional practices being perpetrated by some officials of some government agencies resulting in the importation of these fake and sub-standard drugs.
“It is so unfortunate that government officials saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians against fake and sub-standard drugs and goods are now part and parcel of such crimes.
“They do it without minding the fact that their actions have led to the death of so many Nigerians who buy and use these fake and sub-standard drugs and goods.
“It is a known fact that the standard of most drugs and goods produced and imported into Nigeria is far below the approved international standards.
“Yet the scrutinizing agencies approve and certify them to be good for human use and consumption because of bribery.
“A situation where a sick person will buy drugs and take them as prescribed by the physician but after taking the drugs he or she will not be healed of his or her sickness or disease is disastrous”, the statement said.
COSEYL regrets that the loopholes at the ports have given rise to dubious importation of fake new products which are of lower quality than fairly used ones from overseas.
It mentioned fairly used Nokia phones from the United Kingdom as an example of these products that Nigerians now prefer because of their higher quality compared to the new ones.
“If this trend continues unchecked, Nigerians will all be dead except the rich and political office holders who have looted our treasuries and so have the money to travel abroad for medical attention and to buy quality goods.
“The masses are left to their own fate. Cases of kidney failure, heart disease, liver disease and failure of other vital organs of the body are on the increase in Nigeria partly because of intake of fake and sub-standard drugs.
“Nigerians with minor health challenges are sent to their early graves because of intake of fake and sub-standard drugs and we want this to stop”, COSEYL says.
They, therefore, demanded the probe of officials of government agencies at the ports, especially those of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) who approve the entry of these sub-standard drugs and goods.
COSEYL also demanded an overhaul of the agencies and the prosecution of any official found to be aiding and abetting the importation and clearance of these fake and sub-standard drugs and goods.
