NAFDAC prescribes death penalty for drug peddlers

Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has sought the death penalty for drug peddlers, particularly those whose actions result in the death of children.
  
Speaking at the weekend, Adeyeye emphasised the need for stricter penalties to deter the sale of harmful and substandard medications, which she described, as “merchants of death”, who prioritise illicit profits over human lives.
  
The DG argued that only severe penalties would be effective in tackling the growing menace of fake drugs.  She highlighted a case involving the importation of dangerous doses of Tramadol, a powerful drug that could cause serious harm or even death, regretting that despite the grave nature of the offence, the culprit received a minimal sentence of five years in prison, and/or a fine of N250,000.      Adeyeye pointed out that such punitive measures would not discourage offenders.
  
“Who wouldn’t pay a fine of N250,000 and go on to commit the same offence?” she queried. She also expressed concern over the agency’s limited resources, revealing that NAFDAC operates with a staff of about 2,000, which equates to one staff member serving approximately 119,000 citizens.
  
With such limited manpower and funding, Adeyeye acknowledged the significant challenges NAFDAC faces in carrying out its enforcement duties effectively.