Daily Independent (Lagos)
27 November 2008
editorial
This newspaper will not pull punches on the scandal of the fake teething powder. We demand that no stone must be left unturned as we embark on the process of unearthing what went wrong, ensuring that it never happens again and making sure that restitution is obtained.
Our society will be greatly diminished if we do not pay homage to the life of over 30 children whose earthly existence has been cut short in Lagos, Ibadan and Zaria since September after being allegedly administered with a contaminating powder called 'My Pickin' teething mixture.
The figures we have available to work on constitute what is clearly the tip of the iceberg. For according to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili, there are reported incidents in the aforementioned cities as well as elsewhere where victims have experienced kidney failure. What we are seeing here is a horror story, a national tragedy. The response of the Federal Government of Nigeria, its organs and institutional mechanisms will define very clearly what kind of society we really are.
In her media briefing, Akunyili has pointed out that Barewa Pharmaceuticals allegedly manufactured the powder which laboratory analysis shows contains Diethylene glycol (DEG) used in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), plasticizers, acrylates, and associated products. If this revelation does not stand one's hair on end, frankly nothing will. According to the Akunyili, her agency (NAFDAC) was informed about the incident "nearly two weeks after cases of deaths and complications had been reported in many hospitals across the country, and we have just traced the cause of deaths to the administration of the teething mixture, 'My Pickin' by mothers". Horrendous really!
What we are seeing here is a failure of the inspectorate and monitoring system. We know it is incontrovertible that NAFDAC under Dr. Akunyili has won great plaudits at home and abroad.
However, the issue must be resolved, what went wrong in this instance? What perturbs any rational mind is that the regulatory process must have been breached. Why were the institutional mechanisms and procedures as laid down by law not observed? Who breached or circumvented them and why? Was there a failure or inadequacy of regulation? Unambiguous responses are needed to clarify this issues.
There must be no pussy footing and no cover ups. In this instance, all the institutions of the state the Police Force, the National Assembly, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution all have their work clearly spelt out.
We are aware that in every manufacturing process involving consumables, it is mandatory to have a government inspector at hand. In addition, every batch must be certified. In view of this, the Nigerian public is expected to know, who certified the process? If the normal NAFDAC certification was given, who approved it and passed it on? Excuses will not be accepted about lack of personnel, equipment, funding and so forth. For what is before us appears to be gross negligence of duty and the negation of the objective that there must be a duty of care in matters such as this.
We already have a precedent in the case involving the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, involved in experiments on unsuspecting human beings in Kano. The same standards and conditions must be applied to Barewa Pharmaceuticals. Nothing less will be acceptable. What is sauce for a multinational must be good enough treatment for a local company. Restitution is also vital in this instance.
Nigeria's culture of impugnity will only be arrested when class action suits become the order of the day and punitive damages awarded. Too often there is a feeling that 'nothing will come out of it.' This unacceptable self-serving proposition must be defeated. Those who believe that their connections within the corridors of power confers a license or an exemption must be told in unambiguous terms that this is a democratic dispensation anchored on the rule of law and as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would say 'nobody dey above the law'.
Our sympathies lie with the families of the bereaved. The thoughts and prayers of every Nigerian must be with them at this difficult moment. Our society stands accused and diminished unless we do the right thing. This being to fish out those who have been negligent and let them make restitution. Compensation must be given to those affected, it will not heal their pains, but it is the right thing to do.
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this is horrendous and sad.it shows that nigeria as a country still have a long way to go.safety for childrens life should be the number one priorty of any country.allowing the death of a child, means killing the future of a couutry.nigerians should wake up,try and understand that making money for a future they are killing is the height of stupidity. i hope those responsible for this sad act are brought to pay.