NAFDAC Boss Calls for Stiffer Penalties for Drug Peddler
Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, the director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for stiffer penalties for drug peddlers in the country.
This call was made in a statement made available by Olusayo Akintola, the agency’s media consultant in Abuja on Sunday.
The said statement noted that Mrs Adeyeye pointed out the fact that drug peddlers are death merchants who are making massive gains and profit at the expense of other people’s health and wellbeing.
Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye therefore called for the introduction and implementation of death penalty for drug peddlers, especially those whose action results to the passing of children.
She noted that only serious penalty will discourage drug peddlers, especially those trading in illegal, harmful and substandard medications.
Mrs Adeyeye cited a scenario of a person who imported a high does of tramadol into the country and gets a mere five (5) years imprisonment and/or a paltry #250,000 as fine.
“Who wouldn’t pay a fine of N250,000 and go on to commit the same offence?” Mrs Adeyeye asked. “That’s part of our issue—there are no stringent measures in place to prevent repeat offences.”
The Director-General noted that acute understaffing has been a serious issue for the agency, especially as it impedes its ability to carry enforcement.
“We are understaffed, and our funding is limited. I hope things will improve so we can strengthen our efforts,” Mrs Adeyeye said.
(NAN)