The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully destroyed substandard products valued at N43 billion in a recent exercise in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The operation targeted fake drugs, medical devices, and other unwholesome regulated products.
The destruction took place at the Lapite dump site in Moniya, within the Akinyele Local Government Area.
NAFDAC’s director-general, Christiana Adeyeye, stated that the counterfeit products were voluntarily surrendered to the agency by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations, and trade unions.
During the exercise, Adeyeye, representing Shabba Mohammed, the director of investigation and enforcement, provided details on the seized products.
“Several raids were carried out at various locations, which led to the seizure of numerous unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products,” she noted.
The confiscated items included a variety of drugs, such as aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement medications, and both over-the-counter and prescription-only medicines.
In total, over 30 different types of wares were seized, including banned substances like Codeine and other narcotics, as well as antimalarial and analgesic drugs worth over N48 million.
Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s proactive measures, stating, “The agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of schedule one narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations across the country.”
She explained that the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate conducted several raids, confiscating products worth over N700 million in the process.
Additional items earmarked for destruction were identified during investigations and included illicit and unregistered pharmaceuticals, such as Codeine syrup and expired tramadol, along with contraband goods like soaps, tomato paste, unregistered drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays.
In her closing remarks, Adeyeye encouraged public involvement, stating, “We want to use this opportunity to encourage the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed food. Please report unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.”
The exercise was attended by security agencies, representatives from the Oyo State government, and various stakeholders, underscoring the collaborative effort in combating counterfeit products.
