SAN FRANCISCO, November 05, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives Tuesday amended the Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (miscellaneous) Act cap C34 of 2004 to provide for life imprisonment for manufacturers and distributors of fake drugs and unwholesome products in the country.
The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. Bassey Dan-Abia (PDP, Akwa-Ibom), however made a provision for a fine of N10 million as option of fine for manufacturers as the presiding judge may decide, or impose the monetary fine and as well send the convict to life imprisonment.
In the amendment, which was passed for second reading at Tuesday’s plenary, hawkers of prescription drugs are also to be punished with seven years jail term while convicted persons for the offence, will also have their properties confiscated and sold to compensate identified victims of fake drug usage.
Also, anyone caught selling fake drugs or hawkers of drugs in open market, according to the Bill, can also have a fine of N5 million imposed on him in lieu of jail term, or may be asked to pay the fine and still serve the seven years jail term upon conviction by the court.
The amendment says: anybody who “produces, imports, manufactures, sells, distributes or is in possession of; or sells or display for the purpose of sale; or aids or abets any person to produce, import, manufacture, sell, distribute or display for the purpose of sale” any counterfeit, adulterated, banned or fake, substandard or expired drugs or unwholesome processed food in any form whatsoever, commits an offence” and will get the life jail term punishment.
Giving a synopsis of the bill, Dan-Abia expressed reservations about the sale of prescription drugs by unqualified persons leading to manhandling of the drugs which constitute danger to the health of persons who consume such.
“More worrisome is that petty traders who sell kola nuts, oranges and other such articles in market kiosks, motor parks and roadsides are often seen hawking drugs that range from over the counter items to antibiotics (popularly called capsules), ” he said.
Persons convicted under such crime, according to the Bill, should be sent to seven years in jail or made to pay a fine of N5 million or both.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Health for further legislative inputs.
Saint Mugaga, Abuja
