70% of drug sold in Nigeria are fake - Experts

Muda Oyeniran, Lagos - 25.06.2008

Health officials in Nigeria have estimated that 70 per cent of drugs sold in the country are fake just as the World Health Organisation(WHO) estimated that 10 per cent of all drugs sold worldwide are fake.

Mr. Sunday Afonja of the Glaxosmithk- line(GSK), who said this in Lagos on Tuesday during the launch of Halfan(malaria drug), said the problem of drug counterfeiting was a global phenomenon.

While lauding the efforts of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at eradicating fake drugs from the country, he bemoaned the low conviction rate of drug offenders in the country, saying the nation was yet to record notable conviction of culprits.

According to him, only strong legislative environment coupled with tougher stance by the nation’s judiciary would help to discourage drug counterfeiting and counterfeiters in the country.