The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has undertaken a massive operation in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying counterfeit drugs and other substandard products valued at N43 billion.
The destruction took place on Thursday at the Moniya dump site in Akinyele Local Government with representatives from security agencies and the Oyo State Government present.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shabba Mohammed, explained that the products were voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, NGOs, and trade unions. The destroyed items included unregistered pharmaceutical products, aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, over-the-counter medications, and prescription-only drugs.
Professor Adeyeye highlighted that the destruction followed a series of raids targeting illegal and counterfeit products across various locations, showcasing NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring product safety in Nigeria.
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“Over thirty different products were seized in total,” she said, explaining that the confiscated items included banned substances such as codeine and narcotics, with a total value exceeding N48 million.
“The agency has been actively gathering intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of narcotics by pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other states.
“Recent raids conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate resulted in the confiscation of products worth over N700 million.
“In addition to counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the operation also targeted contraband items such as unregistered soaps, tomato paste, and counterfeit beverages.
“By taking these actions, NAFDAC aims to protect the health and safety of the public while promoting compliance within the pharmaceutical industry,” Professor Adeyeye stated.
She emphasized that the agency’s efforts are geared towards eliminating substandard products from the market, ensuring that only safe and effective drugs and medical devices are available to consumers. This operation is part of NAFDAC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
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