The agency said on its twitter handle that the counterfeit product was discovered and reported to the Agency by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited from Mumbai, India,

According to NAFDAC, Ajanta Pharma observed that it manufactured the counterfeited product with batch number PA2128L in December 2018, with an expiry date of November 2020.

It said the batch was created for Combisunate 20/120 (Artemether 20mg/Lumefantrine 120mg Tablets), with a pack size of 30 x 24 tablets, but had now been counterfeited and was being sold as Aflotin 20/120mg with a pack size of 1 x 18 tablets.

It added that the overprinted matter did not match Ajanta’s overprinting style.

The agency said the company had confirmed that the Aflotin 20/120mg with Batch No: PA2128L available in the Nigerian market was a counterfeit, as determined by the investigation carried out and observations made on the product.

“The genuine Aflotin 20/120 tablet is a combination of Artemether/Lumefantrine (20mg/120mg) and is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite,” it said.

The regulatory agency emphasised that counterfeit medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which meant the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

“The use of counterfeit medicines often fail to treat diseases or conditions effectively, leading to serious health consequences, including death,” NAFDAC said.

It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been informed and directed to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit products found within their zones and states.

NAFDAC also advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

It advised that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers.

Mutfwang said this on Tuesday when he visited communities in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), recently attacked by gunmen.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen on Sunday night attacked Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District, Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa.

The criminals killed scores and destroyed many houses and other properties.

The governor disclosed that the state government had made tangible investments in technology aimed at addressing the current security challenges in the state.

“Immediately we assumed office, we took decisive steps and invested heavily in technology just to end these security challenges facing us.

“Insurgency and terrorism have deprived us of the riches of the land; our developmental strides on the Plateau have been slow because of insecurity.

“There is no reason for us to be where we are; our people cannot go to their farms and engage in any economic venture.

“But as a government, we are doing everything possible to end these circles of attacks and killings,” he said.

The governor, who commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones, vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

Mutfwang, who thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the state, called on the security agencies to intensify efforts towards tackling the current security challenges in Plateau.

“We are here with all the security apparatus in the state to reassure you that we are committed to your safety.

“You have every reason not to be happy, but I want to assure you that we have taken steps to correct all the lapses of the past.

“As a government, we will support the security agencies towards ensuring that our people are safe.

“But let me remind you that whatever arrangements the security agencies will make may not solve the problem, the solution will come from the communities.

“We have come to a point in Nigeria, where every community must defend itself. I will not, however, support lawlessness, but we can’t afford to go to sleep,” he said.

The governor, who reiterated his warning to residents not to take the law into their hands, however, advised the youths to rise up and defend their communities.(NAN)

He said that compliance with legislative resolutions were not optional but binding on MDAs and other public institutions.

Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2nd National Workshop organised by the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had as it’s theme “Consolidating Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Compliance by MDAs.”

Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Osita Ngwu, the Minority Whip of the Senate, said compliance was a constitutional obligation owed by all arms and levels of government to the people of Nigeria.

” let me state emphatically, compliance with legislative resolutions is not optional. It is absolutely fundamental.

“Our laws, policies, and oversight functions are meant to guide the execution of government programmes in a manner that ensures transparency, equity, and effectiveness.

“When departments and agencies fail to comply with legislative directives, they undermine not just the authority of the legislature but the collective will of the Nigerian people, whom we all represent,” he said.

The president of the Senate stressed the need for public institutions to work closely with the National Assembly to develop an egalitarian society.

“When public institutions ignore legislative resolutions, when compliance becomes selective, and when oversight is treated with disdain, the result is a breakdown in trust.

“As the President of the Senate, I give you full assurance that the National Assembly remains unwavering in its resolve to ensure that its resolutions are not only respected but also implemented.

“The days of impunity must give way to the reign of institutional discipline. However, enforcement must be accompanied by engagement,” he said.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Sen. Ede Dafinone, in his remarks decried the non-compliance of some MDAS to National Assembly resolutions.

“In recent times, we have witnessed several instances where MDAs and public institutions have either delayed or outrightly disregarded legislative resolutions passed by the Senate.

“These actions not only undermine the authority of the legislature but also weaken the very foundation of our democratic institutions,” he said.

He said the workshop was aimed at providing a platform for stakeholders to critically examine the root causes of non-compliance.

According to him, they include legal ambiguity, institutional rivalry, capacity gaps, and bureaucratic challenges.

He noted that the goal was to develop practical and enforceable solutions.

Dafinone urged MDAs to collectively work towards bridging the gap between legislation and execution for good governance, institutional effectiveness, and the benefit of the Nigerian people.

Mr Francis Usani, Director of Fraud Risk Assessment, Prevention and Control, who represented the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, commended the initiators of the workshop.

“This workshop couldn’t have come at a better time—when we are witnessing increased instances of laws, policies, rules, and regulations being observed more in the breach than in compliance,” he said

He emphasised that the legislature, by constitutional provision, is saddled with the responsibility of making laws for good governance and democracy.

He added that democracy can only be sustained where laws are made and obeyed.

“Compliance with resolutions made by the legislature is therefore critical to the sustenance of institutions. It is widely said that where there are no laws, there will be anarchy.

“And where laws are made but not complied with or implemented, there will also be anarchy,” he said. (NAN)