JUST IN: NAFDAC arraigned three for producing fake drugs in Kano

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Monday, arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court in Kano, for producing , distributing and selling fake medicines for children.

According to FIDELINFO, the suspects are Amao Gideon, Alumona Okwiludili, Hillary Onah Chigozie and Giddyson Healthcare Limited

When the case came up on Friday, prosecution counsel, Oche Abutu, standing in for the Federal Government on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, banged them with a five-count charge which borders on producing fake drugs, being in possession, distributing and selling of fake medicines.

However, the suspects appealed not guilty

Their lawyer, thereafter, applied for their bail but hearing the submissions from the prosecuting lawyer and counsel for the defendants, Justice Simon Amobeda turned down the bail request.

Speaking to newsmen, the Director General of Drugs agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by Kano State Coordinator, Kasim Ibrahim, said the syndicate has been involved in manufacturing and selling several falsified medicines, including Asian Ampicillin 125mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension for children -Zero active ingredients.Others are Erythromycin 125mg/5ml powder for suspension for children – Zero active ingredient and Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg+ Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) powder for suspension for children –Zero active ingredients.

They noted that all the drugs were mere powders without any active ingredients for curing a patient.

“For clarity, from the NAFDAC Kaduna Laboratory Services testing, there is no trace of medicine in the formulations. This puts the patient in danger of treatment failure and possible death.

“The products were not registered by NAFDAC, the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the label,” He added.

He disclosed that NAFDAC had sealed the illegal factory which was located in Tafa town, Tafa local Government area of Niger State