PSN seeks tougher penalties for drug fakers, proposes N25m fine, 20-year jail term

By Chioma Obinna
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Monday called for tougher punishment for manufacturers and distributors of fake drugs, proposing a minimum fine of N25 million and prison terms of between five and 20 years for offenders to deter offenders and protect public health. Addressing a press conference ahead of the society’s 99th Annual National Conference, the PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, urged the National Assembly to expedite work on the amendment of the Fake Drug Act. Ibrahim said the existing penalties, including fines as low as N5,000 and N10,000 in some cases, were inadequate to discourage offenders operating in the lucrative counterfeit drug ...