Lagos — National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it may sanction Qatar, Emirate and Lufthansa airlines for transporting fake medicines from China to Nigeria.

In a press statement made available to our correspondent,NAFDAC said the airlines transported fake drugs worth over N30million to Nigeria, and that the action constitutes a clear violation of NAFDAC rules for imported goods.

"It is worrisome that all the seizure of fake medicines made in recent past originated from China and were transported by Qatar, Emirate and Lufthansa airlines in clear violation of NAFDAC preshipment of imported goods," NAFDAC said The thrust of NAFDAC mandate is to safeguard the health of the nation and the only way to actualize this mandate is to ensure that the people at the grassroot level are adequately covered.

The agency recently intercepted and seized fake drugs at both Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja . The statement further said that the huge seizure were made between 23rd and 25th of June,2010 and worth a combined value of N30million Naira.

Further, it said the drugs are Ciprotab,Ciprofloxalin(500mg)-Anti biotics,Lariam (mefloquine 250mg)-anti -malaria,Lexotan (3mg)-Psychotropic drug. The Ciprotab tablets were imported aboard Lufthansa Airlines from China into Nnandi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja in large package concealed amidst some other items while Lariam and lexotan tablets came through Emirate Airlines.