• NAFDAC clears air on charges, says fees gazetted

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has once again appealed to relevant authorities to review and drop the charges against Onitsha Head Bridge Market in Anambra State.Obi made this appeal in a post on his official X-handle yesterday.

Recall that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had labelled the market the headquarters of distribution of substandard and fake pharmaceuticals in the country and even in African sub-regions.

Obi had questioned the continuous closure of the market, expressing concern that shutting down other neighbouring markets not involved seems excessive and unjustified.

The former Anambra State governor said the shop owners in the market have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain.
According to him, further burdens on them and their families are simply unjust and an economic sabotage.

“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods.

“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.

“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores.”

ALSO, the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has expressed reservations over the disturbing reports of brazen extortion by NAFDAC officials against traders affected by the closure of the Onitsha drug market, describing the actions as scandalous, outrageous, and reprehensible.

MEANWHILE, NAFDAC has debunked speculations surrounding the imposed charges on traders during recent enforcement operations at open drug markets in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, the agency clarified that all charges levied against defaulters at the Onitsha, Aba and Idumota drug markets were in line with the Federal Government-approved regulations.

According to NAFDAC, two key administrative charges were enforced: an investigative fee of N5 million for the sale of unregistered products, which was later reduced to N200,000 after pleas; and a separate N2 million charge for violating Good Storage and Distribution Practices, also reduced to N500,000.

“These are the Federal Government gazetted charges and payments,” the statement, signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said The agency also disclosed that the affected shops and warehouses did not meet the basic standards of operation and had no proof of registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria(PCN), violating existing drug laws.