Getting tough on counterfeiters in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC*) has recently submitted a Bill to the Nigerian National Assembly seeking a life jail term for counterfeiters found to be dealing in counterfeit regulated products in Nigeria. This NAFDAC Bill is to amend the current Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act by introducing the death penalty for counterfeiting offences, a whistle blowing policy and provisions on compensation and punishment where false information is provided to NAFDAC.

This is a promising development and is on the back of a recent raid by NAFDAC where they arrested and prosecuted five people for alleged illegal production and distribution of counterfeit regulated products including codeine, cough syrup and powdered milk in Nigeria.

Although it is not expected that this Bill will reach legislation soon as the passing of Bills typically takes many years in Nigeria, it does give some insight into how NAFDAC currently view counterfeiters.

Our services include full registration of products, as currently set out by NAFDAC. Information on NAFDAC product categories and the registration procedure is available here. We also offer enforcement services in line with NAFDAC leglislation.

For more information on NAFDAC or assistance with product registration in Nigeria, please contact us.

*NAFDAC is a Nigerian federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Health. It regulates and controls the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water.