The Civil Society Network Against Corruption has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) to investigate and prosecute the immediate past Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Paul Orhii, over allegations of corruption and illegal registration of fake drugs.
In a petition addressed to the office of the acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, the group said it is expecting the EFCC to begin prompt investigation into the allegations and also effect immediate reversal of fraudulent certification.
“We are in receipt of an insider petition, detailing several allegations against the immediate past Director–General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii,” read the petition signed by Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC’s chairman.
“He was accused of recertifying blacklisted Asian Companies, reversing ban of some drugs and allowing dangerous drugs into the country for pecuniary gains and subject to financial inducements.”
Orhii was disengaged as head of NAFDAC last February after his appointment in 2009.
According to the petition, during the tenure of Orhii’s predecessor, the late Professor Dora Akunyili, an assessment was conducted on all the pharmaceutical companies importing drugs into the country and based on outcomes of the assessment, some Asian countries were blacklisted for their records and penchant for producing substandard or outright fake products.
“On assumption of duty as D.G, Dr. Paul Orhii recertified some of them and reallocated previously withdrawn NAFDAC registration numbers,” the group said.
“The implication of this is that even if a drug/product carries a NAFDAC number, it is not a guarantee that it is genuine. Registration and recertification of drugs are now done indiscriminately.
“Some of the allegedly blacklisted companies that were brought back by Dr. Orhii are:
KAMALA Overseas Bombay 400002 India
MISSION Pharmaceuticals Limited India
PLIVA Pakistan (PVT) Limited
MILAN Laboratories India.”
Furthermore, the petition also stated that Dr. Orhii reversed the ban on Monotherapy Artesunate, an anti-malaria treatment which has been banned worldwide by World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Some of the companies he permitted to bring the drugs to Nigeria are –
CUS Pharmacy which brings CUSNATE
NEROS Pharmacy- Artesunate
GENEITH Pharmacy
EMBASSY Pharma Ltd.”
Dr. Orhii had also been alleged to have allowed the entry of dangerous drugs like TRAMADOL into the country, according to the petition.
“The said drug is highly regulated and no county in the world allows the use of more than 50mg, as it is like a narcotic in the class of cocaine. In October 2014, about 4 x 40ft and 1 x 40ft containers of unregistered drugs were intercepted at Apapa ports, including Tramadol 200mg and 150mg (far above the approved 50mg).
“The said containers were seized by NAFDAC officials and on January 14, 2015, Dr. Orhii called a press conference to announce the seizure but on July 20th, 2015, he ordered the release of the dangerous drugs into the society, after allegedly receiving some millions of dollars as bribe. The said containers were released to one Dr. David West.”
The group accused the ex NAFDAC boss of posting loyal members of staff to some posts to receive bribes on his behalf.
“Currently, the Nigerian law does not allow importation of drugs through the land borders except through the air and sea,” the group stated.
“However, some drugs are being brought in through the Seme and Idiroko borders by corrupt means.
The group further alleged that one Hassan Tanko facilitated the passage of fake drugs at Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc and remitted $5,000 as returns to Dr. Orhii weekly, reports The Premium Times.
“The fake drugs are said to usually come in through Qatar Airways or DHL cargo.
“We are by this petition demanding an urgent investigation into these allegations and immediate reversal of fraudulent certification by the Agency,” the group said.
