Some traders in the affected markets have protested, claiming that the operation disrupted their businesses indiscriminately, leading to severe financial losses.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has applauded the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its ongoing efforts to combat the sale of counterfeit and substandard medicines.
However, the caucus urged the agency to ensure that its enforcement activities are targeted and do not harm legitimate businesses and innocent traders.
NAFDAC recently sealed off major drug markets in Idumota, Lagos State; Ariaria, Aba, Abia State; and Onitsha, Anambra State as part of efforts to rid the country of counterfeit medicines.
In the aftermath of the operations, some traders in the affected markets have protested, claiming that their businesses were disrupted indiscriminately, leading to severe financial losses.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued in Awka on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Leader of the LP caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, said: “While the LP Reps commend NAFDAC for its efforts at tackling the menace of fake and adulterated drugs, we enjoin them to go about the assignment in adherence with global best practices, such that legitimate and innocent traders are not caught in the quagmire.”
Ogene, who also leads the Anambra State caucus in the House of Representatives, criticised the agency’s handling of the operation.
He stated: “For instance, it was reported that NAFDAC sealed the market and allegedly denied the traders and their leadership entry, as its officials proceeded to break into shops, carting away pharmaceuticals, without owners of such shops being allowed to witness the operation and take inventory.
“Already, there are reports of some traders and Point of Sale (POS) operators who left varying sums of cash in their shops — the closure having taken place at the weekend — without any means of getting same back.”
The lawmaker further revealed that the enforcement in Onitsha extended beyond the Medicine Market (Ogbo Ogwu) to the Plumbing Materials section, which was closed about a week earlier. According to Ogene, this action has left many traders frustrated and locked out of their businesses without prior notice.
Hon. Ogene called on NAFDAC to adopt a more measured and transparent approach to its enforcement exercises. He stated: “This measured approach will help balance the agency’s regulatory mandate with the need to protect the interests of law-abiding entrepreneurs and traders.”
The LP caucus urged the agency to prioritise fairness in its operations, ensuring that only those involved in illegal activities face consequences, while legitimate businesses are protected from undue hardship.