BBC Exposes Emzor Pharmaceutical As The Supplier Of The Addictive Cough Syrup That Is Killing Nigerians & Spreading Drug Addiction In The Country!

Nigeria government has announced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine after a BBC investigation into its role in an addiction epidemic, bbc.co.uk reports.

''BBC documentary exposed the rate at which Emzor Pharmaceutical is killing Nigerians by supplying them with an addictive cough syrup that contains codeine leading to drug abuse in the country.''

The joint probe by the BBC's new investigation unit, Africa Eye, and BBC Pidgin prompted a swift response from people across the country, including Nigeria's first lady, Aisha Buhari, who said in an Instagram post she was "deeply saddened" by the rise of the problem, especially in the north of Nigeria.

"I call on all security agencies, lawmakers, judiciary, drug manufacturers, civil society, regulators, teachers, parents, neighbors and you to take this as a personal war and halt the menace," she added.

According to the BBC, Emzor has released a statement on Facebook emphasizing its commitment to the proper "handling, production, storing and distribution of products containing codeine". It has suspended all distribution pending a "full and thorough investigation" and has fired the employee involved.

"We hope the findings of the documentary will shed further light on the extent and impact of the illicit trade and consumption of codeine," the statement said. "We hope that full stakeholder engagement will result in impactful action against the abuse, smuggling and faking of drugs on the continent."