The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking tougher punishment for people involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines and unsafe food products in Nigeria.
The proposed law includes a 15-year jail term for people found guilty of hawking medicines, as part of efforts to stop the sale of drugs through unauthorised channels.
The bill is aimed at strengthening existing laws and protecting Nigerians from fake, substandard and dangerous medicines, as well as unsafe food products.
Lawmakers supporting the bill expressed concern over the health risks posed by counterfeit drugs and improperly handled food products, warning that such practices continue to endanger lives across the country.
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce stronger punishment for offenders and discourage the illegal production, distribution and sale of regulated products.
Having passed second reading, the bill will now proceed to further legislative consideration before it can be passed by the Senate and sent for other necessary steps in the lawmaking process.
If eventually signed into law, the legislation is expected to strengthen the fight against counterfeit medicines and improve the safety of food and pharmaceutical products available to Nigerians.
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