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| NAFDAC Director-General Professor Mojisola Adeyeye speaking at a press briefing |
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cleared the air on fees charged during raids at Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota drug markets. The agency said every fee is backed by federal law and officially gazetted. Traders heard an investigative fee and a storage fine. Both were later cut on review. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, spoke at a press briefing. She aimed to end doubts about these charges .
Between February 9 and March 27, NAFDAC officers moved into three top open drug markets. They seized fake, expired, and substandard drugs worth over ₦1 trillion. The goal was to stop fake drugs from harming public health . Traders without valid registration faced charges. Those charges target both product legality and storage standards .
NAFDAC stressed that all fees spring from Federal Government-approved regulations. The agency’s 2019 Regulations list two key charges for market enforcement. Both fees must follow due process and appear in the official gazette. No extra levies were added during operations. Prof. Adeyeye said these rules aim to keep drugs safe for Nigerians .
The first fee is an investigative charge. It applies to anyone caught selling unregistered or banned drugs. The published rate sits at ₦5 million per defaulter . Traders can appeal this cost. In practice, many plead for mercy. After appeals, NAFDAC revised the fee to ₦200,000 for eligible traders. This cut reflects NAFDAC’s review power within its mandate .
The second fee targets traders violating storage and distribution rules. Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) help keep medicines potent. Any breach triggers a ₦2 million fine . NAFDAC offers a review process here as well. On appeal, many sites paid a reduced ₦500,000 fee. This step helps traders who invest in quick fixes after inspection .
NAFDAC’s review relies on clear guidelines. Traders may submit documents showing swift corrective steps. The agency’s legal team vets each appeal. If the trader fixes issues fast, the DG may grant a discount. The process unfolds within two weeks of payment receipt. Prof. Adeyeye said this ensures fairness and speed .
Many traders welcomed the cuts but still call fees steep. Some say smallholders struggle with ₦200,000 upfront. Market associations asked for more time and staggered payments. Labour Party candidate Peter Obi echoed traders’ pain. He urged NAFDAC to ease terms and prevent further closures .
The Labour Party in the House of Reps called the fees “scandalous.” They said traders already bear heavy bills and losses. Obi’s team asked the agency to rethink the ₦700,000 reopening fee. NAFDAC countered that no bill is N700,000 under its rules. They said some market leaders tried to add levies, which NAFDAC does not endorse .
Dr. Amina Yusuf, a pharmacist, said clear fees help traders plan budgets. She urged NAFDAC to run more training on GSDP. Mr. Chike Okoli, a market analyst, praised the review cuts but warned of supply gaps. He urged NAFDAC to work with the Pharmacy Council to speed up registration .
NAFDAC reports a drop in fake drug cases since the raids. Hospitals now report fewer drug failures. This shift may improve life expectancy in vulnerable groups. Prof. Adeyeye cited WHO data showing a link between fake-drug crackdowns and lower mortality .
The agency plans more raids. They will target rural hubs and border markets next. NAFDAC also rolls out a new mobile app for fee payments. This tool aims to curb on-site cash handling. It links directly to NAFDAC’s e-payment portal .
While fees aim to fund drug safety work, heavy costs may strain small traders. NAFDAC insists fees reflect true investigation and compliance costs. Traders ask for flexible terms. A middle ground could see tiered fees based on shop size. This move may keep markets open yet safe .
NAFDAC made clear every fee at Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota is legal and gazetted. Traders saw two fees: ₦200,000 for investigations and ₦500,000 for storage fixes. Both started higher but fell after review. The agency backs up all steps with federal rules. It aims to keep Nigeria free of fake drugs. Debate will continue on fee terms and market health. Constructive dialogue can shape better rules for all.