…Laments Understaffing, Underfunding
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has advocated for the introduction of the death penalty for drug peddlers, particularly those whose activities lead to the death of children.
Speaking at the weekend, Adeyeye emphasised the need for stricter penalties to curb the circulation of harmful and substandard medications.
She described such drug dealers as “merchants of death” who prioritise illegal profits over human lives.
The NAFDAC boss noted that only severe punishments would effectively tackle the rising menace of fake drugs in the country.
She cited a case involving the importation of dangerously high doses of Tramadol, a powerful drug capable of causing serious harm or even death. Despite the gravity of the offence, the individual involved was sentenced to just five years imprisonment or given an option of a ₦250,000 fine.
Condemning the leniency of such penalties, Adeyeye questioned their deterrent effect. “Who wouldn’t pay a fine of N250,000 and go on to commit the same offence?” she asked.
She further stressed that the existing legal framework was inadequate in protecting the public, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, who are often the worst affected by counterfeit drugs.
Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC was working with lawmakers who had pledged to collaborate with the agency in pushing for harsher penalties against drug traffickers.
She expressed hope that legislative support would help curb the rising problem of counterfeit drug distribution across the country.
The NAFDAC DG also raised concerns over the agency’s limited resources, revealing that it operates with a workforce of about 2,000 employees. This, she noted, means that each staff member serves approximately 119,000 Nigerians, given the country’s population.
“We are understaffed, and our funding is limited. I hope things will improve so we can strengthen our efforts,” Adeyeye said.
She called for increased government support to enable NAFDAC to carry out its enforcement duties more effectively.
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