The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the State Government to intensify efforts through relevant agencies to curb the proliferation of fake and expired drugs.
The resolution was adopted following a motion by Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Hon. Olakunle Sobukanla, and approved by the House through a voice vote.
Debating the motion, the sponsor, Chairman of the House Committee on Health and representative of Yewa North 2 State Constituency, Wahab Haruna, highlighted the issue of fake and expired drugs, mentioning a recent incident involving his constituents.
He called for the State Government to empower the Ministry of Health, the State Hospital Management Board, and other agencies to monitor pharmacies and remove counterfeit and expired drugs from shelves.
Hon. Haruna also urged collaboration between the State Ministry of Health and professional bodies to tackle the issue, advocating for sanctions to deter future offenses.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Babatunde Tella, Oluseun Adesanya, and Adegoke Adeyanju, supported the resolution, noting the dangers of counterfeit drugs. They commended the State Government’s efforts to centralize drug testing and distribution.
The Speaker remarked that the drive for excessive profit by some individuals in the sector led to the problem and cited severe penalties in some Asian countries. He called for stronger measures to regulate the sale and distribution of fake and expired drugs.
OGUN ASSEMBLY APPROVES LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT LAW
The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2024, establishing an Audit Department in local government administration to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The bill’s passage followed the presentation by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Jemili Akingbade, who moved for its adoption, seconded by Hon. Dickson Awolaja, and supported by a voice vote at a plenary led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide.
The bill was read and adopted clause-by-clause, with the motion for the third reading moved by Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Hon. Adeyinka Ademola, and unanimously approved by the House.
The Deputy Clerk, Barr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adeyemi, conducted the third reading, after which the Speaker directed the clean copy be sent to Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for assent.
