Fake Drug Victims May Get Compensation –NAFDAC

Victims of fake drugs are likely to be compensated if the bill to that effect, initiated by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) gets the nod of members of National Assembly.  The bill also prescribed punitive measure for manufacturers and distributors of fake drugs in the country.

Director-General of the agency, Dr Paul Orhi, who disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held at Yenagoa, Beyelsa State capital, said it has become imperative to check the influx of fake and adulterated drugs into the country.

Dr Orhi noted that the nation’s law was too lenient with the offenders, unlike what is obtainable in other countries all over the world.

According to him, the Indian parliament has recently passed into law a bill advocating for life jail term as well as confiscation of assets of the perpetrators.

The Director-General contended that the bill, when passed into law, would stop the present situation where many people die early as result of fake and adulterated drugs. He disclosed that the agency has recently employed the best brains in the profession to draw up a draft-bill which would be forwarded the National Assembly. The bill is advocating for life time jail term, confiscation of assests, payment of compensation to victims, whistle blower system to enable the agency reward its informants, he stated.

Earlier, the Unit Head of the Commission in the state, Mr G.E. Akwa had called for active participation of the state Government to arrest the menace of fake and adulterated drug in the society. 

He identified the difficult terrain of the state as a hindrance to the light, and pleaded for government’s assistance to the agency.