The Abia State Government has signaled plans to amend its law on expired drugs, introducing harsher penalties, including imprisonment, for traders dealing in counterfeit, expired, and unregistered medicines.
Governor Alex Otti made this known on Thursday in Aba during a meeting with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and representatives from Ariaria, Eziukwu, and Tenant Road markets. Also present were the Chairman of Aba South Local Government Council, Mr. Anyanwu Obialor, and the Abia State Director of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mrs. Ngozi Nzenwata.
Otti, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ukoha Njoku, warned traders to refrain from aiding or abetting the sale of dangerous drugs, emphasizing that violators would face stricter punishment.
“As we crack down on those poisoning our people with expired medicines, they may attempt to relocate to suburban areas to continue their illegal trade,” Otti said. “To protect yourselves, when you see something, say something. If these criminals are found operating in your vicinity, your properties could be sealed, forcing you to relocate while investigations continue.”
Speaking at the meeting, NAFDAC’s Zonal Director, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, announced the reopening of shops that were not found guilty of selling counterfeit or illegal products. However, he clarified that some shops would remain sealed until their owners were identified and met specific conditions set by the agency.
“Traders who were not involved in the sale of counterfeit medicines but had their shops sealed should be aware that we are reopening some of them. However, those involved in illegal activities must first meet certain conditions before their businesses can resume,” Iluyomade stated.
He also expressed disappointment that counterfeit drug sellers in Eziukwu Market had rejected NAFDAC’s offer of free registration and training to transition into legal business operations.
Mrs. Ngozi Nzenwata of the PCN urged the state government to establish a Medicine Mart or a Wholesale Coordinating Centre to regulate drug sales more effectively. Similarly, Aba South LGA Chairman, Mr. Anyanwu Obialor, condemned those endangering lives through the sale of harmful products, vowing to work closely with the state government and NAFDAC to enforce stricter measures.
“Moving forward, any shop caught selling counterfeit or expired products will be shut down permanently,” Obialor warned.
Market leaders, including Mike Okoro and Moses Ibe (Eziukwu Market), James Nwogu (Ekumi/Ariaria Market), and Chimezie Ugwu (Tenant Road Market), expressed their appreciation to NAFDAC and Governor Otti for reopening some of the sealed shops. They pledged to support efforts to eliminate counterfeit drugs from their markets while appealing for leniency for affected traders still awaiting the reopening of their shops.
