TheCable

Now that NAFDAC has reopened Emzor’s production lines, it must be commended, as the risk of multiplying evil on the society can be said to have received good attention. Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria just captured my mind in his statement: “I’m glad NAFDAC has reopened Emzor Pharmaceuticals. It is the right thing to do. I support the ban on codeine production, but we can achieve this without shutting down biz that provides jobs for Nigerians.”

If you ask me, the issue of drug abuse and addiction amongst our youths has become a subject of national concern. There are over 150 substances abused daily by our youths; some argue that abuse of codeine ranks high on the list.

It is really saddening that codeine, a substance used by many pharmaceutical companies in the producing of therapeutic products to cure a specific form of illness, is being abused by people and turned into a substance for shameful acts. The abuse of codeine and other substances by our children and youths is one that needs to be curbed with the utmost urgency.

This has assumed some urgency in the wake news that codeine, though processed and packaged as legal pharmaceutical products with NAFDAC’s approval is being widely abused, by youths mostly in the northern part of Nigeria. Ironically, NAFDAC’s reaction would be to throw away the baby with the bathwater, by shutting the production lines of the pharmaceutical firms whose products were mentioned.

In a country where unemployment ranks higher than drug abuse, even though the two are competing vices, it has to be asked: “How does shutting-down the production lines of these firms help reduce the later?”

For example, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, a wholly indigenous business, employs thousands of Nigerians and produces over 120 high-quality healthcare products, all approved by NAFDAC. If the people gainfully employed in these production lines, are they likely to lose their jobs and endanger the society with other vices?

My simple mind tells me that shutting down these pharmaceutical firms will not help solve the problem in any way. Only policies and right programs will help put an end to this malady. The government must look for a way to improve our health care system, prevent young Nigerians from abusing drugs and create rehabilitation centers for those who have been negatively affected. These are better measures than the knee-jerk response the government embraced.

Ideally, all weight should be thrown at trying to solve the problem of drug abuse and addiction in the country. This, though must be done without tarnishing the image of reputable and responsible companies.