Reps Urge NAFDAC to Protect Innocent Traders Amid Drug Market Crackdowns
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed an urgent motion calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to avoid causing harm to the businesses of innocent traders during its operations in drug markets.
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Afam Ogene (LP, Anambra), acknowledged NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to combat the sale of fake and counterfeit medicines. Ogene highlighted recent actions taken by NAFDAC, including the sealing of medicine markets in Idumota, Lagos State; Ariaria in Aba, Abia State; and Onitsha in Anambra State.
While commending NAFDAC’s commitment to eliminating substandard drugs, Ogene raised concerns over reports from affected traders who claimed that their businesses were being unfairly disrupted. The lawmaker emphasized that many innocent vendors in these markets suffered significant losses as a result of blanket operations that did not differentiate between counterfeit merchants and legitimate businesses.
Ogene expressed concern over reports that NAFDAC sealed off the markets and denied entry to traders and their leaders. He also noted troubling accounts of NAFDAC officials breaking into shops and confiscating goods without the shop owners being present to witness the operation or take inventory.
“Reports indicate that NAFDAC sealed the affected markets and barred traders and their representatives from entering, while officials proceeded to break into shops and seize pharmaceuticals without allowing the owners to oversee the process,” Ogene said.
He further highlighted the troubling reports of Point of Sale (PoS) operators and traders who were forced to leave large sums of money in their shops during the sudden raids, with no clear means of retrieving their funds afterward. This has led to frustration and confusion among business owners, he added.
The House’s motion serves as a reminder to NAFDAC to ensure that its enforcement operations are carried out in a manner that respects the rights of legitimate traders while continuing its fight against counterfeit drugs.