Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of fake and substandard drugs and other unsafe products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the heads of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), arguing that the country’s regulatory system requires urgent intervention.
In a statement, Adeyanju said Nigerians were being exposed to potentially dangerous medicines and consumer products and called for a comprehensive review of the regulatory system.
Call for stronger regulation
Adeyanju’s intervention comes amid continued concerns over counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigeria, an issue that can pose serious risks to public health.
He argued that regulatory enforcement must be strengthened to prevent unsafe medicines and products from reaching consumers.
The lawyer specifically called for government action under the campaign hashtag #FixNAFDAC, alongside changes involving the leadership of NAFDAC and SON.
His demand for the removal of agency heads is a political and policy position, rather than an announced government decision.
Why the issue matters
The regulation of medicines involves multiple stages, including manufacturing, importation, distribution, registration, surveillance and enforcement.
Counterfeit or substandard products can undermine treatment outcomes and increase risks for patients, particularly when consumers cannot distinguish legitimate medicines from falsified products.
Adeyanju is therefore calling for a more aggressive government response, including stronger regulatory enforcement and accountability.
The Federal Government and the relevant regulatory agencies would ultimately determine whether to adopt the measures he proposed.