The House of Representatives has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose amendments to existing laws that would impose stricter penalties, including the death penalty, on the production and circulation of fake and adulterated drugs in Nigeria.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara), in which lawmakers argued that current penalties were too lenient to deter offenders.
The House also urged the government to strengthen regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Customs Service by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology for better surveillance and enforcement.
Additionally, lawmakers recommended establishing a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of counterfeit drug producers.
The House further directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and recommend legislative measures to close regulatory loopholes.
