The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says two men and KRA Nalele Pharmaceutical Limited have been arraigned over the alleged sale and distribution of counterfeit Coartem tablets.

NAFDAC, in a statement through its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday, said the defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Jos Division, over alleged counterfeit Coartem sales.

The agency said the defendants were arrested following an operation conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate at 68/13 Mango Street, near Masallacin Juma’a in Jos, on February 14, 2025.

According to NAFDAC, the operation was carried out following a report by Novartis, the producer of Coartem, regarding the suspected counterfeit drug found in circulation in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

It said during the operation, the agency discovered and removed suspected counterfeit Coartem, containing Artemether and Lumefantrine 20/120mg, and arrested the pharmacy owner for questioning over products found there.

The agency recalled that the owner informed operatives that one of the defendants at No. 6 Panshin Street supplied the drug, prompting his subsequent arrest and interrogation by operatives there.

NAFDAC disclosed that the defendant subsequently admitted supplying the suspected counterfeit Coartem and other products to KRA Nalele Pharmaceutical Limited, according to information provided during his interrogation with agency operatives.

It said the seized product was subjected to laboratory analysis, which indicated zero active content of both Artemether and Lumefantrine, according to findings from the agency’s laboratory examination of samples.

It stated after 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 2004.

According to NAFDAC, the charges are punishable under Section 3(1)(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Laws of 2004.

Meanwhile, the agency also said it has continued to mop up banned sachet alcoholic drinks and PET bottles below 200ml from key flashpoint areas across Lagos State during Tuesday operations.

It said NAFDAC on Tuesday raided several areas, including Terminal in Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Agbado, Okodo LCDA, Ilepo Market and Oke-Odo Market among others across Lagos during the operations.

The agency said several cartons of the banned alcoholic beverages were seized from the locations during the mop-up exercise. 

(NAN)