Senate Proposes 15-Year Jail for Fake Drug Dealers

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill during its second reading that proposes a 15-year jail term for individuals involved in the sale of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food products. Sponsored by Senator Umar Suleiman of Kwara North, the bill aims to replace the existing Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act with a new legal framework designed to combat the evolving threats of online drug sales and sophisticated counterfeit techniques.

The legislation includes provisions for asset forfeiture, compensation for victims, and stronger enforcement powers for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). It criminalizes the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit products and prohibits the unauthorized sale of medicines in open markets and online platforms.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed gratitude for the Senate's contributions to the bill, which received overwhelming support despite calls for clarity regarding its relationship with existing NAFDAC regulations. The bill aims to protect Nigerians from the dangers of counterfeit medicines and restore confidence in the healthcare system.