Codeine: NAFDAC reopens, sanctions Emzor, 2 others

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reopened Emzor Pharmaceutical Ind. Limited and two other pharmaceutical companies, which were shut down last Monday.

Also, the agency has sanctioned the three pharmaceutical companies including Emzor Pharmaceutical Ind. Limited, Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited, all of which were allegedly implicated in the BBC documentary on the abuse of codeine-based cough syrup.

A statement signed by NAFDAC’S Director General, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye disclosed that the three companies have been charged with administrative fees that were commensurate with the respective violations. It will be recalled that NAFDAC shut down the three firms to enable it conduct full investigations over their roles in the abuse of codeine cough syrup by many young Nigerians.