Codeine: NAFDAC Seals Emzor Pharmaceuticals

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has shut down Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd. over the recent abuse of its codeine-based syrup.

Other companies sealed by the drugs and narcotics control agency are Peace Standard Pharmaceutical ltd. and BIORAJ Pharmaceutical ltd. both in Ilorin, Kwara.

The latest development follows a BBC documentary which brought the codeine addiction to limelight.

Following the revelation, Aisha Buhari and the National Assembly called on the government to curb the abuse of the codeine cough syrup.

The Ministry of Health, in a response, banned the production and importation of cough syrup with codeine in the country.

Director General of the Agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement said that the shutdown was due to the companies’ inability to provide required documents for NAFDAC officials during the inspection of the facilities at Ilorin and Lagos.

“Due to insufficient evidence gathered and apparent resistance to provide needed documents during inspection on May 2, 2018 at the respective companies in Ilorin and Lagos, respectively, it has become necessary to shut down all product lines of the three companies.

“The companies are the Peace Standard Pharmaceutical ltd. at Plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited. No 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara State.

“Also shut down was the Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos.

“This is to allow for a full and comprehensive investigation; the three companies therefore remain closed.

“On May 2 and 3, a team of nine NAFDAC officers were sent to carry out investigational inspection at the companies that are licensed to manufacture codeine-containing syrup, and which were implicated in a BBC documentary.

“The team comprised of two from Drug and Evaluation Research – DER and seven from Investigation & Enforcement – I&E) and ten mobile police officers

“The focus of the assignment was to access and monitor from records the utilization, sales and effective distribution of the codeine containing cough syrups to the end users.

“Meanwhile, meeting of the stakeholders mentioned above is being planned while the shut down and full investigations continue.

“The reopening of the manufacturing companies will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during the comprehensive investigation,’’ the statement said.