The Senate on Wednesday, 08 July, 2026, passed for second reading a bill sponsored by the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework against counterfeit medical products, fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods.
The proposed legislation, titled the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2026, aims to repeal the existing 2004 law and replace it with a more robust legal regime to address emerging challenges in the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit products.
Leading the debate on the floor of the Senate, Senator Sadiq said the bill is intended to protect Nigerians from the dangers of fake medicines and other unsafe products while strengthening the capacity of regulatory authorities to combat the activities of counterfeit drug syndicates.
A key provision of the bill criminalises drug hawking and the sale of medicines in unauthorised locations, including open markets, motor parks, roadside stalls and other unlicensed outlets. It also prescribes a jail term of up to 15 years for individuals convicted of offences relating to the manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of counterfeit medical products and fake drugs.
Beyond imprisonment and monetary penalties, the bill provides for the forfeiture to the Federal Government of assets and proceeds derived from counterfeit drug-related offences. The measure is intended to dismantle the financial structures supporting the illicit trade and ensure offenders do not benefit from criminal activities.
The legislation further seeks to enhance the enforcement powers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including improved surveillance, product tracking and stronger regulatory oversight.
Following its second reading, the Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative action, with the committee expected to report back to the chamber after its review.
No comments:
Post a Comment