OLAWUNMI OJO
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has advocated a zero tolerance approach to access distribution or proliferation of codeine and similar addictive substances as part ofefforts to address the rising abusive consumption of controlled substances in the country.
In an advisory update by its Director General, Babatunde Irukera, the CPC stressed that protecting citizens’ from addiction and the harm done by abuse of controlled substances must remain a national priority, to the exclusion and sometimes at the expense of commercial considerations.
It, however, said that this must be achieved while also ensuring that production and availability of legitimate medication remain inviolate and uncompromised.
The Council noted the strong regulatory action by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) with respect to production and distribution of Codeine.
While it welcomed all meaningful efforts to address the alarming consumption of controlled substances, the CPC stated that it will deploy its entire apparatus and resources to support NAFDAC, the Ministry of Health, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies to enforce the ban and prevent access to codeine and similar addictive substances.
Recall that the Council had, on April 10, 2018, issued an Advisory that publicly called for a ban and prohibition on the prescription of cough medication containing Codeine. NAFDAC later heightened the proposed regulatory measure with an outright ban.