Akunyili and her war against counterfeit medicines
The books titled: ‘‘The War Against Counterfeit Medicine: My Story,’’ and Selected Speeches chronicle the ills of fake /counterfeit medicines, substandard food, cosmetics and related products, the politics of her appointment as Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the strategies she evolved to fight the menace of […]
The books titled: ‘‘The War Against Counterfeit Medicine: My Story,’’ and Selected Speeches chronicle the ills of fake /counterfeit medicines, substandard food, cosmetics and related products, the politics of her appointment as Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the strategies she evolved to fight the menace of fake drugs and medicines in Nigeria, amongst others.
In the books, Professor Akunyili, in her characteristic bluntness also tells all the stories about her family life, her birth in Makurdi, the conspiracy that led her affluent father to send her to Nanka, a typical Nigerian village to live with her grand mother, the frills and thrills of adjusting to rural life, her educational pursuits that culminated in her studying Pharmacy in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) instead of her preferred choice: Medicine. The books also chronicle in detail, her days as lecturer in UNN, her public service and above all, her appointment and stewardship as Director General of NAFDAC between April 2001 and December, 2008. The author tells the story of the sustained war she waged against the hydra-dreaded monster that is counterfeit medicines as well as taking her readers through her harrowing experience that culminated in a failed assassination attempt on her life by drug barons and counterfeiters for daring to safeguard the lives of Nigerians. Though these enemies of humanity couldn’t snuff life out of Akunyili, they nearly made her throw in the towel. The author used her books to recount how her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili and her lovely children, nearly convinced her to resign from NAFDAC for fear of her dear life. But each time she thought of her favourite sister, Vivian, a diabetic patient who lost her life to fake insulin, Professor Akunyili’s resolve to stay on the job, to sanitise the public health system redoubled! The result of her exploits in NAFDAC was a sharp drop in fake and adulterated drugs/ medicines and related products in Nigeria and indeed the West Africa sub-region. Interestingly, NAFDAC that was non existent in the consciousness of Nigerians became a household name with Professor Akunyili in the saddle. Her resounding success in the Agency saw her nick over 500 awards from reputable local and international organisations and groups.
But she is quick to doff her hat for the management, staff and board of NAFDAC because according to her, the agency couldn’t have recorded the successes without their diligence, patriotism and dedication to duty. The Minister expresses her sincere gratitude to former President Obasanjo for appointing her DG, the various Health Ministers for their cooperation, the press for its maximum reportage of NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical industry and above all, the Nigerian people for buying into the operations of the Agency. She equally thanks former Military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari for intimating his friend, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye (former Minister of Finance) about her sincere act of returning 12,000 pounds being unspent government funds to public coffers. Dr. Onaolapo was to recommend her to then President Obasanjo for appointment as NAFDAC DG and the rest is now history!
The book has 416 pages excluding the index, which makes it less than half the size of the Selected Speeches, a compilation of some of Prof. Akunyili’s major and thought-provoking speeches as NAFDAC Director-General.
Professor Akunyili, while thanking Nigerians for their massive support, called on the counterfeiters she froze out of their illicit business to forgive her. She stressed that the proceeds from the launch would be used for charity. Books presenter, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, saluted Akunyili’s relentless war against counterfeit medicines and sub- standard products and recommended the books to Nigerians and governments at all levels. He however, noted that there is fake Tear Gas in circulation and called on the Federal Government to nip it in the bud. Books reviewer, Ms Arunma Oteh, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the books are both rich in content and quality adding that the Minister’s exploits remain a reference point in the safeguard of public health. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who was Special Guest of Honour, averred that each time the Minister makes contributions at the Federal Executive Council, he feels like returning the author to NAFDAC to continue her good works. He, however, said instead of Professor Akunyili apologising to drug barons, it should have been the other way round. Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, said Professor Akunyili piloted the affairs of NAFDAC like a General in the battle field. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, former President of Nigeria was Father of the Day while Dame Patience Jonathan, First Lady of Nigeria, was Mother of the Day. Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi was the Chief Host. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, urged the Federal Government to ride on Professor Akunyili’s courage in combating adulterated medicines to confront electoral irregularities in the country.
‘‘The War Against Counterfeit Medicine: My Story,’’ is a veritable medium for public awareness. This and the selected speeches are capable of sensitising, mobilising and actuating individuals, corporate organisations, agencies, commissions and governments to appreciate more than ever before, the dangers posed by fake drugs with the aim of setting up local and international coalitions in the war against fake, adulterated medicines, cosmetics and related products.
The books simplify technical jargons in the Pharmaceutical industry that often make readers to be glued to the dictionary for simplification. Above all, they are written in simple flowing prose uncharacteristic of a pharmacist whom the author is. The author’s diction, simplicity, bluntness and passion with which she narrates her strategies and ordeals make them a must read to all categories of readers who want to comprehend the nitty-gritty of the Drug/ Medicine industry and the challenges of waging war against substandard drugs in Nigeria. The books will be useful to all regulators in the Health sector, law enforcement agencies, newsrooms, hotels/recreational centres, academia, homes, pharmaceutical companies and libraries.
In addition, people who look on to Professor Akunyili for inspiration will find the books worthwhile because they reveal how the Minister manages to keep her home front in the face of daunting schedules and all the stories of her rise and rise in public service. The event attracted many dignitaries from all sectors of the Nigerian economy and the international community
Agbo is of the Ministry of Information and Communication Abuja