Reps Ask NAFDAC To Ban Sale Of Codeine, Tramadol

The House of Representatives has enjoined the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately ban the sale of codeine and other ‘harmful’ drugs in the country.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Abdulsamad Dasuki (APC Sokoto), the lawmakers directed NAFDAC to ensure that codeine was only dispensed through prescription and only sold in hospitals.

Dasuki, while leading debate on the motion particularly stressed the need to stop abuse by banning the sale of codeine and tramadol over the counter and the need to address their abuse in northern Nigeria. It is believed that about three million bottles of codeine are consumed in Kano and neighbouring Jigawa State.

He urged NAFDAC to introduce punitive measures against medical practitioners who sell such medications without a notarised prescription by a qualified medical doctor.