Senate Proposes 15-Year Jail for Unauthorized Medicine Sales

The Nigerian Senate has proposed a bill that seeks to impose a 15-year jail term for individuals involved in the unauthorized sale of medicines, including those hawking in open markets, motor parks, roadside stalls, and unlicensed online platforms. Sponsored by Senator Umar Suleiman, the bill passed its second reading on Wednesday and aims to introduce stiffer penalties for offenses related to counterfeit medicines and unsafe food products.

It proposes to repeal the existing Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act, replacing it with a new legal framework designed to address the emerging threats of online drug sales and sophisticated counterfeit techniques. The bill also includes provisions for asset forfeiture and compensation for victims, while empowering the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to deploy modern tracking technologies and establish a national enforcement task force.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed gratitude for the Senate's contributions to the legislation, which aims to protect Nigerians from the dangers posed by counterfeit medicines and restore confidence in the healthcare system.