NAFDAC nabs 3 men, shuts down firm in Niger over fake antibiotics

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has nabbed no fewer than three men over their involvement in the production and distribution of fake antibiotics.

This was disclosed by the agency in a statement shared on its social channels on Wednesday.

The men apprehended include one Mr. Godwin Alumona, a distrubutor, another Hillary Onah Chigozie, a distributor, and a Gideon Amoo, who is the Managing Director of the production company.

According to NAFDAC, Amoo’s company, Giddyson Healthcare Limited, had been producing different falsified products including Asian Ampicillin suspension, Asian Erythromycin suspension, and Asian ORS for years.

Giddyson Healthcare Limited, located in Tafa LGA, Niger State, was given license to make only two products, but the firm had been manufacturing and distributing a range of unapproved medications.

NAFDAC wrote in its statement, “In response to a complaint about the sale of falsified Ampicillin + Cloxacillin powder in Kano, NAFDAC launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of a distributor, Mr. Godwin Alumona.

“Further inquiries resulted in the apprehension of Mr. Hillary Onah Chigozie, a major distributor, and subsequently, the Managing Director of Giddyson Healthcare Limited, Mr. Gideon Amoo, in Niger State.

“The investigation revealed that Giddyson Healthcare Limited, located in Tafa LGA, Niger State, had been producing several falsified products, including Asian Ampicillin suspension, Asian Erythromycin suspension, and Asian ORS for years.

“These products are not registered with NAFDAC and carry a fake manufacturer’s name and address. Despite NAFDAC’s registration of only two products for the company, Giddyson Healthcare Limited was found to be distributing a range of unapproved medications.

“The factory has been sealed, and the Managing Director has confessed to the illicit activities.”