The Nigerian government has declared an all-out war on counterfeit pharmaceuticals and unsafe food products, rolling out a high-level task force comprised of security and regulatory institutions with one mission: to safeguard the health of the nation.
The task force, unveiled in Abuja on Friday by Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is envisioned as a united front against a criminal enterprise that threatens the nation’s public health system and food security.
“This is a decisive step to protect Nigerians from harmful products that have no place in our markets or hospitals,” Dr. Pate stated. “Those who engage in the production or sale of counterfeit medicines and unwholesome foods are committing a grave crime against the people.”
The multi-agency task force includes the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, PCN, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, head of NAFDAC, noted the challenge at hand is national in scale and demands aggressive, coordinated intervention. “The fight against fake and substandard products requires coordinated national action,” she said, while encouraging citizens to report any suspicious goods through available NAFDAC channels.
The team is set to conduct market sweeps, surprise raids, and heightened checks at border entry points. A public enlightenment campaign will also be intensified to educate Nigerians on the life-threatening implications of consuming counterfeit products.