FILE PHOTO: NAFDAC Office, Abuja.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three pharmaceutical firms over the codeine syrup scandal.
The firms embrace Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Industry Limited.
Director-General of the Agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye in an announcement on Monday stated the businesses will stay shut to permit for a full and complete investigation.
Among the allegations levelled towards the closed firms embrace refusal to abide by laws on the distribution of sure drugs.
“Due to insufficient evidence gathered and apparent resistance to provide needed documents during our inspection on May 2, 2018 at the respective companies in Ilorin and Lagos, respectively, it has become necessary to shut down all product lines of the three companies – Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited. Plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited. No 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara State and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos. This is to allow for a full and comprehensive investigation. The three companies, therefore, remain closed,” the assertion learn partially.
The reopening of the manufacturing firms in keeping with Adeyeye will depend upon the extent of cooperation that's proven through the complete investigation.
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The assertion added additional that Adeyeye had earlier referred to as for an emergency assembly with the PMG-MAN Executive to debate crucial points referring to Codeine-containing cough syrup along with different managed substances.
Also, a Task Force to be made up of NAFDAC Directors- Registration and Regulatory Affairs; Narcotics and Controlled Substances; and Drug Evaluation and Research. Members of PMG-MAN within the Committee included the Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Fidson Healthcare; May & Baker PLC; and Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries was constituted by the DG.
“A team of nine NAFDAC officers (two from Drug and Evaluation Research – DER and seven from Investigation & Enforcement – I&E) and ten mobile police officers were sent to Ilorin, Kwara state on May 2, 2018 to carry out investigational inspection at the companies of the two different pharmaceutical companies that are licensed to manufacture codeine-containing syrup, and which were implicated in the BBC documentary,” the assertion added.
A documentary by BBC not too long ago uncovered the habit of some Nigerians, principally youths, to codeine and reported the complicity of some pharmaceutical firms.
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