The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked the authorities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) with the responsibility of identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in the distribution or production of counterfeit goods across the country. This resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion titled ‘Circulation of fake consumables in Nigeria,’ which was sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Muhammad.
During his lead debate, Hon. Muhammad expressed deep concern over the significant increase in the circulation of fake consumables in Nigeria during the fourth quarter of 2023. He pointed out that “Nigeria experienced an insurgency involving daily patronage of fake consumables such as drinks, drugs, cooking spices, beverages, and baby food.” He explained that these fake products had caused serious health issues among consumers and had also discouraged local manufacturers and importers of genuine products from continuing their business activities in the country.
Hon. Muhammad highlighted that the widespread availability of counterfeit goods posed a major threat to public health and safety. He stressed that the consumption of fake products, especially food and drugs, could lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, even death. He called for urgent action to be taken to curb this menace and protect the lives of Nigerians.
The lawmaker also noted that the presence of counterfeit goods in the market had a negative impact on the economy. He argued that genuine manufacturers and importers were facing unfair competition from those dealing in fake products, which often sold at lower prices. This situation, he said, was discouraging investment in the local production of consumables and was leading to job losses in the manufacturing sector.
Hon. Muhammad urged NAFDAC and SON to intensify their efforts in monitoring and regulating the market to ensure that only genuine products were sold to consumers. He called for a more robust enforcement of existing laws and the imposition of stricter penalties on those found guilty of producing or distributing fake goods. “The authorities need to send a strong message to deter others from engaging in such illegal activities,” he said.
In addition to the enforcement of regulations, Hon. Muhammad advocated for increased public awareness about the dangers of fake consumables. He suggested that NAFDAC and SON should launch nationwide campaigns to educate consumers on how to identify genuine products and the risks associated with consuming counterfeit goods. He believed that with better-informed consumers, the demand for fake products would decrease, thereby reducing their circulation in the market.
The House of Representatives, in its resolution, called on the federal government to provide NAFDAC and SON with the necessary resources and support to carry out their mandate effectively. The lawmakers emphasized the need for collaboration between the agencies and other relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, to tackle the issue of counterfeit goods comprehensively.
Furthermore, the House urged the judiciary to expedite the prosecution of individuals caught in the act of producing or distributing fake consumables. They stressed that swift justice would serve as a deterrent to others and help restore confidence in the market for genuine products.
The resolution was widely supported by other members of the House, who shared similar concerns about the negative impact of counterfeit goods on public health and the economy. They called for a united front in the fight against this scourge and pledged their commitment to supporting measures aimed at eradicating fake consumables from the market.
The House of Representatives reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians by ensuring that only genuine and safe products were available in the market. They urged all stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal and protect the interests of consumers and legitimate businesses alike.
The House acknowledges that in December 2023, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) intercepted counterfeiters producing consumables valued at approximately N750 million.
Additionally, the House notes a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicating that fake and substandard drugs are responsible for about 500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa.
The House expresses concern over the health risks and economic repercussions that counterfeit products, particularly contaminated consumables, pose to Nigerians.
The House is informed by global consultancy Price Waterhouse Coopers that Nigeria could lose about N2 billion annually to counterfeit medicines, excluding substandard ones.
Therefore, the House urges NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and manufacturing drug factories to create more efficient verification and monitoring channels in every state and local government to ensure product safety before circulation.
The lawmakers also call on these regulatory agencies to identify and penalize individuals involved in the distribution or production of counterfeit goods, and to intensify efforts to identify and fully punish those responsible according to the law.
Furthermore, the lawmakers emphasize the need for these agencies to regularly engage and educate consumers on digital codes or icons that indicate product authenticity.
Hence, the House has mandated the joint Committees on NAFDAC and Legislative Compliance to ensure the implementation of these measures.
