The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control, NAFDAC has shut down Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, Bioraj Pharmaceutical
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control, NAFDAC has shut down Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., all of who were implicated in the codeine syrup crisis. The Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement said the decision was taken following findings from investigations and inspections at the affected companies.
The statement said, “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 the product lines of the three companies – Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited, plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited, 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara State and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos.
Nigerians however think that NAFDAC shutting down the three pharmaceutical companies is a wrong move, likening their closure to using a sledge hammer to kill an ant. They are of the opinion that rather than shut down the companies, NAFDAC should rather awaken to their duties of being the watch dog that they are.
Below are some of their reactions.
The crisis in the healthcare sector is being compounded with the complete shut down of #Emzor and two other companies. The cost of medicines will soon shoot up the roof. Without affordable hospitals to attend and expensive drugs, the last option would be prayers. #HealthEmergency
— Olugbenga Adebanjo (@ojuriblog) May 8, 2018
This might be an unpopular opinion on this #Codeine issue but I think banning the drug & closing down of #Emzor is reactionary.
I would have thought listing it as a prescription based drug will make access difficult for low-level abusers which is a major concern here?
— #YaseerStateofMind (@ibsanusi) May 8, 2018
NAFDAC just want to appear that dey are doing something about dis menace ravaging us, but really, what they proffer isn't a panacea. #Emzor
— Ajikobi .O. Emmanuel (@MaloMaverick) May 9, 2018
#Emzor…The company produces so many other good products why shut the whole company down because of one product? Mumu decision. Good products is made unavailable and people will loose their jobs. Chai, Naija
Shey our mumu never do ni?— Kola Cooper (@kolacooper) May 8, 2018
In trying to cure one problem, the government have only succeeded in introducing the country to more. Such brimstone approach should be saved for threats like the insecurity issues in the country and it's perpetrators.#Emzor
— Kayode AJULO (@KayodeAjulo) May 8, 2018
When a regulator needs to show leadership, it uses real dialogue not draconian measures. #nafdac was wrong to shut down #emzor
— KekeAds.com (@KekeAds) May 8, 2018
"Oh my arm is itching, I'll chop it off!!".. Nonsense government whose only tool is a hammer and everything seems to them like a nail #Emzor
— Naija Barman (@non_nobis_) May 8, 2018
How is shutting #Emzor down going to help solve the problem of codeine abuse even at the very least? NAFDAC needs to be shutdown for not having a strategy for combatting it without being unreasonable.
— Sochima Eze (@Sochima_Eze) May 8, 2018
Shutting down all production lines of Emzor pharm. doesn't deal with substance abuse. Stricter regulations & measures should be implemented in hopes of curtailing drug abuse not shutting down the company & rendering people jobless because of a selfish few. #Emzor
— Ekeanya Chiamaka (@ms_chiamakaa) May 8, 2018
