So codeine the world's best cough therapy is now the cause of lose of sanity and health?
So if people get addicted to penicillin, will you banned the companies producing them for legitimate syphilis patients? People are addicted to gum Will you close down gum production companies?
Nature abhors a vacuum in this Nigeria? You think the pharmaceutical industry is baba ijebu?
Please tell me those that have replaced the defunct textile industries of the 70s and 80s.
You and your govt are not serious.
In the UK codeine syrup is only available on prescription.
So codeine the world's best cough therapy is now the cause of lose of sanity and health?
So if people get addicted to penicillin, will you banned the companies producing them for legitimate syphilis patients? People are addicted to gum Will you close down gum production companies?
Nature abhors a vacuum in this Nigeria? You think the pharmaceutical industry is baba ijebu?
Please tell me those that have replaced the defunct textile industries of the 70s and 80s.
You and your govt are not serious.
Just take it easy with him, he needs a hug not argument, its not easy to be that pained.
I think supporting the current government in power does a lot to people's mental abilities..
carpmam: I don't know y they are ganging up against emzor,they nafdac gave them the license to produce codeine,they gave them the specific quantity to be produced daily,why are they now sealing the company, have it been established that they produce more of the drug,or is it just because the owner of the company is from the east,or maybe because she is a woman
Emzor was closed because they are not cooperating with ongoing investigation. You don't have to spew ignorance all over by attributing the closure to tribal reasoning. You can do better than this.
My take on the subject is that you are not a credible commentator.
Your views are always skewed on the side of the FG because of the buhari/osibanjo factor.
The company will reopen at some point. So what is the time frame? In the mean time revenues are being lost, legitimate products for other sick people are being restricted.
If emzor goes under due to lose of revenues, can buhari create an alternative even if he spends 20 years in power?
Must u read political connotations to it? So, human life does not matter any longer? What's d essence of Govt if they can not take a decisive steps to address the menace?
Must u read political connotations to it? So, human life does not matter any longer? What's d essence of Govt if they can not take a decisive steps to address the menace?
I have seen him support the FG in far worse scenarios.
If you're an investigative journalist you can actually get anyone in Nigeria including the NaFDAC. Yes I listened to myself, you should try it sometimes, appraise your reasoning before pouring it out.
Mumu govt. Where they given time to sell of all the stock they had likely to the East where youths there are educated and can not abuse the codeine? After all they produce legit drugs licensed by authorities.
rusher14: Emzor and the likes cannot claim they didn't realise a disproportionate hike in demand of a product that is strictly a medicine one that could be abused.
When you start churning out medicines like you would beverages it means you are encouraging abuse.
A massive fine should be imposed on these pharmaceutical companies who participated in encouraging abuse of this product well against the ethics of the profession.
I see Nigerians above me once again supporting evil because that is their latest fad.
Nigeria would never be that country you desire it to be as long as your immediate reaction is cynicism and hate.
You made some good points. However, I would also like to add that the reason companies like Emzor are able to act with such indifference to patient safety is simply because our medicines regulatory agencies bark more than they bite. NAFDAC lost its bite since Dora Akunyuli left, many of these pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria heaved a sigh of relief when she was replaced in NAFDAC, and they celebrated her death as well. The only reason NAFDAC has acted in this instance is simply due to the outcry generated after the news report by the BBC, and I strongly believe NAFDAC knew what was happening prior to the BBC report.
Therefore, I would argue that greater blame rests with NAFDAC, not Emzor et al. If NAFDAC claims not to know that there is an opioid abuse epidemic in Nigeria, it means they are incompetent in their primary role of medicines regulation. If they claim to know about this epidemic but choose to ignore it until it's brought to light by a foreign media, then they are equally complicit.
The DG of NAFDAC should tender his resignation. Drug abuse in Nigeria has killed more people than Boko Haram.
rusher14: : Emzor and the likes cannot claim they didn't realise a disproportionate hike in demand of a product that is strictly a medicine one that could be abused.
When you start churning out medicines like you would beverages it means you are encouraging abuse.
A massive fine should be imposed on these pharmaceutical companies who participated in encouraging abuse of this product well against the ethics of the profession.
I see Nigerians above me once again supporting evil because that is their latest fad.
Nigeria would never be that country you desire it to be as long as your immediate reaction is cynicism and hate.
How did they encourage abuse? The NAFDAC that didn't do their job, Who should fine them?
You mean a pharmaceutical company that produces a drug whose one of the chemical components is deemed dangerous at high levels......now sees a ridiculous, abnormal and boisterous demand in that same drug and kept producing it? Did you understand the gravity or the context of the dangerous sales agent of Emzor (who himself should be in jail by now). He seemly was not selling to "Chemists" or "Pharmacies" but to "drug-dealers" who are making a kill selling to these youths. So you process that Emzor should keep producing something injurious to the people and absolve themselves from responsibilities, why? because NAFDAC is supposed to clean-up the messsey create?
Emzor and others produced legitimate drugs and sell. [b]It's not their headache that its abused, its the ministry of health that should figure that out.. [/b]Not sure they have a functional minister though, had this been d Ebola era, maybe-just maybe Nigeria may have been decongested (pun intended). They are supposed to churn out medicine even much more than beverages so people get treated properly and with the right drugs. Don't be overly sentimental.
I don't know if it is immaturity speaking here or "unwilful" ignorance. Who told you it is not their headache that drugs are abused in this context? I suggest you familiarise yourself with ethic issues, litigations and academic work on the social responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies before making this bland and "blunderous" submission. In fact one of the issues the world is concerned about with pharmaceutical companies is "Corporate Greed". Consuming codine at specific levels are are safe, but beyond that level are unsafe. How come the leadership of Emzor did not observe an irregular pattern in the demand/production of codine? The Ministry of Health, to me, is only liable for not bringing the hammer sooner. Did you read the reason for shutting down their factories at all?
The DG of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye announced the development in a statement.
“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.
Are you telling me that these companies cannot provide sufficient evidence to regulators? Is it that they are not even keeping records of the manufactured volumes and stocks' movement?
The menace of drug abuse must be stopped by any means possible. You igbos can whine, moan, play the victim card, come up with conspiracy theories, do what what ever you want, no one cares.
One ethnic group always at the forefront of tacitly supporting evil, from corruption, crime to drug abuse now.
What a terrible government we have. So if BBC had not released that documentary, they would have kept silent on the issue. It is NAFDAC office that should be shut down. They aren't doing their jobs at all. The whole society is rife with adulterated products. You always have to pray that whatever you're buying is original. What is NAFDAC doing about about? Go to fast food joints and eateries. Their food are produced under unsanitary environments, what is NAFDAC doing about it? Many Sachet water contain dirts. Yet, they have NAFDAC approval. Even beverage manufacturers are now very careless with their products, because nobody is complaining. Now, they are sealing up a company just because they want to impress. Who are they deceiving exactly?
Trending01: Nigeria’s drugs and narcotics control agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Monday sealed off three major pharmaceutical companies – Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited following their ties to the codeine abuse and epidemic presently ravaging youths mostly in northern Nigeria.
The DG of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye announced the development in a statement.
“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 reopening of the manufacturing companies will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during the comprehensive investigation,” the statement said.
A recent BBC documentary brought the codeine addiction to limelight with Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly warning that government must do more to curb the abuse of cough syrup, which contains codeine.
In response to the call, THEWILL recalls that the Ministry of Health banned the production and importation of cough syrup with codeine in the country.
Monday’s statement further said: “The Director General constituted 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 in the Committee included the Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Fidson Healthcare; May & Baker PLC; and Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries. It was stated that on May 2-3, 2018 “A team of nine NAFDAC officers (2 from Drug and Evaluation Research – DER and 7 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 same investigational inspection by a different NAFDAC team took place on the same day and time as the Ilorin companies at the manufacturing facility of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos.
“The focus of the assignment was to access and monitor from records the utilization, sales and effective distribution of the codeine containing cough syrups to the end users.
“Meanwhile, meeting of the stakeholders mentioned above is being planned while the shut down and full investigation.
I actually differ with the BBC documentary and believe that documentary was staged.... Couldnt have been codeine that landed all those guys in rehab or make them behave like that. There is a higher strain drug. But then NAFDAC is focusing on the wrong shii. CODEINE or not guys go still dey on a diet level and guys go still high land for rehab..... Let the country focus on what matters.
toluxa1: : Very good! The company is well aware of the massive abuse. 3 Million bottles daily and I'm sure their products are a decent percentage of that number.
We need statistics to be sure of that, you know.. Since its not only Emzor that manufacture those stuffs
You need statistics? Bros why are you just displaying ignorance-on-steroids? Is it any brainer? The more reason why Emzor should provide the documentation (their internal records) that NAFDAC requested for.
rusher14: Emzor and the likes cannot claim they didn't realise a disproportionate hike in demand of a product that is strictly a medicine one that could be abused.
When you start churning out medicines like you would beverages it means you are encouraging abuse.
A massive fine should be imposed on these pharmaceutical companies who participated in encouraging abuse of this product well against the ethics of the profession.
I see Nigerians above me once again supporting evil because that is their latest fad.
Nigeria would never be that country you desire it to be as long as your immediate reaction is cynicism and hate.
I totally disagree with you.
This action by Nafdac has nothing to do with patriotism or the desire for a better Nigeria.
It's just a punitive knee jerk reaction to an embarrassing documentary which exposed their incompetence at carrying out the job that we, the citizens of this country had been paying them to do.
The drug in question was not classified as a drug which could not be sold off the shelf neither was it designated as a controlled substance, not by Nigerian Law or by Nafdac themselves. The companies in question were thus not required to control it's sale modalities. Meanwhile I would like to remind you that the companies illegally shut by nafdac are not retailers as they do not sell directly to consumers so how are they party to wrong consumption or abuse by consumers?
The only company that could have an over stretched sense of culpability is emzor and I stress it that to accord culpability to emzor due to the actions of one staff is a gross over stretch of conjecture!
These companies are manufacturers and not pharmacies.
NAFDAC failed in its responsibility and is only Trying to save face. Are they saying they were not aware of the codeine epidemic in the north for over 10 years? Is it not their responsibility to "control" drug consumption, production and administration to protect the consumers. Where was Nafdac all this while?
Instead of looking into their modus operandi to fine tune it to prevent easy access to the drugs through the retail end of the spectrum they are here heaping and throwing blames around.
If these companies are culpable then NAFDAC is just as culpable!
This action by Nafdac has nothing to do with patriotism or the desire for a better Nigeria.
It's just a punitive knee jerk reaction to an embarrassing documentary which exposed their incompetence at carrying out the job that we, the citizens of this country had been paying them to do.
The drug in question was not classified as a drug which could not be sold off the shelf neither was it designated as a controlled substance, not by Nigerian Law or by Nafdac themselves. The companies in question were thus not required to control it's sale modalities. Meanwhile I would like to remind you that the companies illegally shut by nafdac are not retailers as they do not sell directly to consumers so how are they party to wrong consumption or abuse by consumers?
The only company that could have an over stretched sense of culpability is emzor and I stress it that to accord culpability to emzor due to the actions of one staff is a gross over stretch of conjecture!
These companies are manufacturers and not pharmacies.
NAFDAC failed in its responsibility and is only Trying to save face. Are they saying they were not aware of the codeine epidemic in the north for over 10 years? Is it not their responsibility to "control" drug consumption, production and administration to protect the consumers. Where was Nafdac all this while?
Instead of looking into their modus operandi to fine tune it to prevent easy access to the drugs through the retail end of the spectrum they are here heaping and throwing blames around.
If these companies are culpable then NAFDAC is just as culpable!
This action by Nafdac has nothing to do with patriotism or the desire for a better Nigeria.
It's just a punitive knee jerk reaction to an embarrassing documentary which exposed their incompetence at carrying out the job that we, the citizens of this country had been paying them to do.
The drug in question was not classified as a drug which could not be sold off the shelf neither was it designated as a controlled substance, not by Nigerian Law or by Nafdac themselves. The companies in question were thus not required to control it's sale modalities. Meanwhile I would like to remind you that the companies illegally shut by nafdac are not retailers as they do not sell directly to consumers so how are they party to wrong consumption or abuse by consumers?
The only company that could have an over stretched sense of culpability is emzor and I stress it that to accord culpability to emzor due to the actions of one staff is a gross over stretch of conjecture!
These companies are manufacturers and not pharmacies.
NAFDAC failed in its responsibility and is only Trying to save face. Are they saying they were not aware of the codeine epidemic in the north for over 10 years? Is it not their responsibility to "control" drug consumption, production and administration to protect the consumers. Where was Nafdac all this while?
Instead of looking into their modus operandi to fine tune it to prevent easy access to the drugs through the retail end of the spectrum they are here heaping and throwing blames around.
If these companies are culpable then NAFDAC is just as culpable!
okay. You try. Very ingenious. They should make you president.
Keep moaning all over the thread. Some of us can see through you. The only reason why you are taking this stance is because your brothers are the beneficiaries of the menace.
The government should do everything within its power to at least reduce the incidences of drug abuse. You and your brothers can keep bleating like goats no one cares.
In the UK codeine syrup is only available on prescription.
True, so is morphine, pregabalin, diezapam antibiotics e.t.c.. Apart from painkillers like paracetamol, basic cough syrups, antacids and a few plant based laxatives such as senna, most drugs in UK arr prescription based, but it still doesn't stop controlled drugs getting to the streets, it's the job of law enforcement to arrest those who sell and distribute it.
No pharmaceutical company has ever been shut down for Drugs been abused in UK, it's a typical Nigerian sledgehammer approach to issues they do not have the brains or dedication to manage.. A case of a rogue employee selling to the black market is not enough to shut down a buisness..
The pharmacy companies shut are not the only ones producing codeine, will they equally ban GSK if the find there smuggled products on Nigerian streets?..
True, so is morphine, pregabalin, diezapam antibiotics e.t.c.. Apart from painkillers like paracetamol, basic cough syrups, antacids and a few plant based laxatives such as senna, most drugs in UK arr prescription based, but it still doesn't stop controlled drugs getting to the streets, it's the job of law enforcement to arrest those who sell and distribute it.
No pharmaceutical company has ever been shut down for Drugs been abused in UK, it's a typical Nigerian sledgehammer approach to issues they do not have the brains or dedication to manage.. A case of a rogue employee selling to the black market is not enough to shut down a buisness..
The pharmacy companies shut are not the only ones producing codeine, will they equally ban GSK if the find there smuggled products on Nigerian streets?..
Community pharmacists are always in panic when there is a discrepancy in controlled drugs and for good reason.
Community pharmacists must report such shortages and often time the police and the pharmaceutical council carry put an investigation.
If they are found culpable they would not only lose their licence they would face a criminal charge.
rusher14: Emzor and the likes cannot claim they didn't realise a disproportionate hike in demand of a product that is strictly a m
edicine one that could be abused.
When you start churning out medicines like you would beverages it means you are encouraging abuse.
A massive fine should be imposed on these pharmaceutical companies who participated in encouraging abuse of this product well against the ethics of the profession.
I see Nigerians above me once again supporting evil because that is their latest fad.
Nigeria would never be that country you desire it to be as long as your immediate reaction is cynicism and hate.
Did you provide them with a data on a disproportionate rise in cough and ailments needing codeine among other data?
