According to PUNCH, The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised a grave alarm over the escalating threats to her life and the safety of agency staff as they work tirelessly to combat the proliferation of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, Adeyeye urged government authorities to provide better protection for NAFDAC officials who face constant danger in the line of duty.
“Our officials have been targeted simply for doing their jobs,” Adeyeye stated, emphasizing the risks that her team encounters while enforcing regulations and ensuring the safety of medical products. She recounted a particularly harrowing incident involving one of her staff members in Kano, whose child was kidnapped as a direct consequence of his refusal to compromise on safety standards. “Luckily, the child escaped,” she added, highlighting the personal toll that the fight against counterfeit drugs can take on NAFDAC personnel and their families.
The agency’s recent crackdown on counterfeit drugs has yielded significant results, with Adeyeye revealing that NAFDAC officials seized 87 truckloads of substandard and expired medical products, including antiretroviral drugs, condoms, and other compromised medical supplies. This operation, conducted in major drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, resulted in the confiscation of fake drugs valued at over N1 trillion, marking the largest seizure in the agency’s history. “This is a monumental achievement for NAFDAC, but it comes at a cost,” she noted.
Despite these successes, Adeyeye expressed deep concern over the personal risks involved in her role as the head of NAFDAC. She revealed that she now requires round-the-clock police protection due to the threats she faces. “I have two policemen living with me in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life anymore. I can’t go anywhere without escorts. That’s not how I want to live, but I have no choice,” she lamented, reflecting on the emotional and psychological toll that such a lifestyle imposes.
In light of the ongoing threats to her safety and that of her staff, Adeyeye renewed her call for the death penalty for those involved in the trade of counterfeit drugs. She described these individuals as “merchants of death” who jeopardize the health and safety of millions of Nigerians. “We must take a strong stance against these criminals who put the health and safety of our citizens at risk,” she asserted, calling for a more robust legal framework to deter such activities.
The NAFDAC boss reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to eradicating counterfeit drugs from the Nigerian market, vowing to continue the fight despite the threats and intimidation faced by her and her staff. “We will not be deterred in our mission to protect the health of Nigerians,” Adeyeye concluded, calling for collective support from the government, law enforcement agencies, and the public in this critical battle against counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
As the fight against counterfeit drugs intensifies, Adeyeye’s plea for enhanced protection highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to safeguard those on the front lines of public health. The agency’s efforts to combat the distribution of fake medical products are crucial not only for the safety of individuals but also for the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system as a whole. The ongoing dialogue surrounding the safety of NAFDAC officials underscores the broader challenges faced by regulatory agencies in their quest to ensure the well-being of the populace.
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