The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has arrested Obinna Igbo, for importing fake malaria drug, Amanta Forte.

In a statement on Monday, the agency said it had arraigned Mr Igbo, a 32-year-old businessman, before Justice Tijani Ringim of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on a four-count charge.

The charges are unlawful importation, possession, sale, and distribution of fake Amanta Forte soft gel (Artemether 80mg + Lumefantrine 480mg Capsules) drug at Head Bridge Market Onitsha, Anambra.

It was disclosed that the accused sold the fake drugs at Shop E200, Freedom Line, Onitsha Head Bridge Market after importing the same into the country.

The suspect was arrested by officials of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC as they raided three pharmaceutical outlets at Bridge Head Market (namely Triphon Point Global limited, Emma Medicals Nigeria Limited and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited).

NAFDAC’s director-general Mojisola Adeyeye stated that the product was found in Triphon Point Global limited, and subsequently evacuated.

She explained further that at Emma Medicals and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited, the shops were visited, and thorough screening was conducted as well.

She however, said the offending product was not displayed on the shelves of these shops, but their sales books revealed that they were sold to the public.

“The date markings on the products indicated that the product was manufactured in India and marketed by Mitzaagold International FZE Amin Hussain market, AL Trade Zone, Dubai, UAE,” said the NAFDAC boss. “The suspect said he has other pharmaceutical products which he also imported into the country, some of which are anti-hypertensive drugs.”

(NAN)