FG Warns of Fake Veterinary Drugs Threatening Livestock

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed alarm over the prevalence of fake veterinary drugs in circulation, citing weak regulatory compliance and uncoordinated import practices. During a roundtable discussion on veterinary medicine quality held on Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, emphasized that inadequate oversight of local manufacturing and distribution channels allows substandard products to enter the market.

As a result, livestock farmers often unknowingly purchase ineffective drugs, leading to treatment failures, economic losses, and livestock deaths, which undermine the agricultural sector. This sector is critical to Nigeria's agricultural transformation agenda, providing income, nutrition, and employment for millions.

Mukhtar highlighted the urgent need for a stronger regulatory framework to ensure the quality of veterinary drugs, which are essential for disease control programs. He called for increased awareness among livestock owners and proposed actions to strengthen licensing and post-market surveillance to combat counterfeit products.