JOS/Nigeria: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken two men and a pharmaceutical company to court in Jos over the alleged distribution of counterfeit Coartem tablets.
The defendants, Idam Francis, Rufai Kabiru and KRA Nalele Pharmaceutical Limited, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Jos following an investigation into suspected falsified antimalarial medicine, according to NAFDAC.
The case originated from an enforcement operation carried out by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at KRA Nalele Pharmaceutical Limited, located at 68/13 Mango Street, near Masallacin Juma’a, Jos, on February 14, 2025.
The agency said the operation followed information from Novartis, the manufacturer of Coartem, concerning suspected counterfeit versions of the medicine reportedly circulating in Jos, Plateau State.
During the operation, NAFDAC officials recovered suspected counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine 20/120mg tablets from the premises and took the pharmacy owner in for questioning.
According to the agency, information obtained during the investigation led operatives to another location at No. 6 Panshin Street, Jos, where Francis was subsequently arrested.
NAFDAC said Francis told investigators that he had supplied the suspected counterfeit Coartem and other pharmaceutical products to KRA Nalele Pharmaceutical Limited.
The agency subsequently subjected samples of the seized tablets to laboratory analysis.
NAFDAC said the examination found no active content of either Artemether or Lumefantrine in the tested samples.
Following the investigation, the three defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge under the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The charges are brought under Section 3(1)(a) of the legislation, NAFDAC said.
The defendants’ arraignment does not amount to a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
……NAFDAC Steps Up Lagos Alcohol Enforcement
In a separate enforcement operation, NAFDAC said it had continued its efforts to remove prohibited alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation in Lagos State.
The agency said its teams carried out raids on Tuesday at several locations, including Terminal in Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Agbado, Okodo LCDA, Ilepo Market and Oke-Odo Market.
Several cartons of the prohibited alcoholic products were reportedly seized during the operations.
The latest action forms part of NAFDAC’s broader enforcement of the Federal Government’s prohibition on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml. The agency began nationwide enforcement of the restriction in July and subsequently ordered manufacturers to recall affected products from the supply chain.
NAFDAC’s enforcement campaign has included raids, seizures and the removal of prohibited products from markets and other distribution points across the country.
The agency has also warned manufacturers and other operators involved in producing or distributing the banned alcoholic products that they face regulatory action.
