Fighting the scourge of counterfeit goods
The ongoing battle against the proliferation of counterfeit goods in Nigeria has once again come to the forefront, with the House of Representatives urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency to address the surge of fake products in the country. This call resonates deeply with the general public, who are all too familiar with the severe consequences of such products, particularly in the health, safety, and economic sectors.
It is time to act decisively, as the continued presence of counterfeit goods is proving to be a grave threat to national well-being and development. Fake and substandard medicines have long been a significant issue, with devastating effects on public health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), falsified medical products lead to fatalities and widespread health complications, causing long-lasting damage to affected individuals and communities. In fact, counterfeiting is so rampant that it has become a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 500,000 lives lost annually due to falsified medical goods.
The WHO reports that the cost of treating victims of counterfeit malaria treatments alone can range between $12 million and $44.7 million annually in this region. Nigeria’s situation is dire. The country has consistently ranked among the top six nations globally for counterfeit product seizures, with alarming reports highlighting the magnitude of the problem. In 2023, Nigeria ranked second in Africa and first in West Africa for the seizure of counterfeit goods, emphasising the extent of this pervasive issue.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken decisive steps, seizing and destroying products worth billions of naira. Yet, despite these efforts, the counterfeit trade remains entrenched, impacting nearly every sector, from pharmaceuticals to building materials. In the pharmaceutical sector, NAFDAC has made significant strides, including dismantling a counterfeit rice factory valued at over N5 billion.
Yet, substandard building materials continue to wreak havoc on Nigeria’s infrastructure. The frequent collapse of buildings, resulting in fatalities and economic loss, is a direct consequence of the unchecked importation and sale of fake construction materials.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has also found itself fighting an uphill battle, with imported substandard goods making up over 80 percent of all counterfeit products in the country. While these efforts are commendable, the current strategy to tackle counterfeiting is simply not enough.
The agencies tasked with curbing this crisis, NAFDAC, SON, the Customs Service, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) lack the resources and capacity to fully address the problem. Effective enforcement requires a holistic, multi-agency approach that includes the implementation of modern technology, increased funding, and manpower. Furthermore, a shift in approach is needed to prevent the production and importation of fake goods at their source, rather than merely seizing them at ports or markets.
A key factor that enables counterfeiting is the availability of used containers and packaging. These items often end up in the hands of counterfeiters, making it easier for them to package and sell fake products. Crushing and recycling these containers could significantly reduce the likelihood of counterfeit production. Also, innovative strategies such as product authentication marks, watermarked packaging, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have been introduced to combat counterfeiting, but their impact has been limited.
Moreover, stricter penalties for those caught in the act of counterfeiting are urgently needed. Currently, the fines and jail terms outlined in the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Food Act of 2004 seem insufficient for deterring offenders. Countries like China impose severe penalties, including the death sentence for certain offenses, and Nigeria must consider similar measures.
A review of the existing laws is necessary to introduce more stringent penalties, including life imprisonment for those involved in producing or importing counterfeit drugs, and significant fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in substandard products. The fight against counterfeiting also requires strong leadership. The late Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of NAFDAC, set a high standard in the battle against fake drugs, winning international recognition for her efforts.
Her bold leadership and unwavering commitment to public health were pivotal in rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s drug market. Nigeria needs a similar level of determination and integrity to confront the current challenges.
Furthermore, the government must support regulatory agencies by providing them with the necessary tools, including technology, training, and funding, to more effectively monitor, detect, and eliminate fake products.
President Bola Tinubu’s promise to lift duties on essential medicines is an important step toward reducing the demand for illicit products, but it must be part of a broader strategy to combat counterfeiting. Ultimately, the government must show unwavering political will to eradicate the scourge of fake products from Nigeria.
This is not merely a matter of law enforcement; it is a matter of national security, public health, and economic stability. As such, all sectors of society, government agencies, businesses, and citizens must come together to ensure the effective prosecution of counterfeiters and the protection of Nigeria’s future.
Only with a unified, committed approach can the fight against fake products be won. The government must lead from the front, as this battle requires urgent action to safeguard the health, safety, and prosperity of Nigeria and its people.
