Afe Babalola wants stiffer penalties against fake drug sellers

BY OLA AJAYI
IBADAN— EMINENT lawyer, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has called for stiffer penalty against pharmacists and others involved in selling drugs that endanger peoples’ health.

He noted that the law governing the pharmaceutical practice in the country had become outdated and some unscrupulous pharmacists were the loopholes to collude with fake drug manufacturers and sellers to sell the killer drugs.

Are Babalola spoke at a symposium organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Oyo State Chapter, as part of the activities marking its week.

At the event attended by the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, he said, “these pharmacists, in law, are guilty of felonious offences either as principal offenders, or accessories before or after or as conspirators and are liable to be sent to prison. It is my view that our law should be reviewed to impose stiffer penalties for those involved in drug abuse.”

Speaking, the governor reiterated that “free healthcare service will be given to children under age of five, pre- and post-natal health care for pregnant women.

This administration will establish primary health centre in every ward to take healthcare to the doorsteps of our people”.

“We will ensure that there is enough provision of drugs in our pharmacies and we will ensure that these drugs are available for purchase at affordable prices, Ajimobi promised. We will seek your understanding, counsel and experience, hoping that you’ll avail this administration with your wealth of wisdom.”