The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed substandard and counterfeit products worth ₦43 billion.
The destruction took place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Moniya dump site in Lapite, Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The items destroyed included counterfeit drugs, medical devices, and other unwholesome products. The event was attended by security agencies, representatives from the Oyo State government, and other stakeholders.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, was represented by Pharm. Shabba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement. Mohammed explained that the counterfeit products were surrendered to NAFDAC by compliant companies, NGOs, and trade unions.
“The counterfeit products were voluntarily surrendered to the Agency by compliant companies, NGOs, and trade unions,” Mohammed said.
She also provided details about the seized items, noting that they included both unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products. The confiscated items comprised aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, Over The Counter (OTC) drugs, and Prescription Only Medicine (POM).
“Over thirty wares were seized in total. Products peddled by these drug hawkers, including banned Codeine substances, narcotic drugs, antimalarial drugs, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, and antibiotics worth over forty-eight million naira were confiscated,” Mohammed said.
NAFDAC also conducted raids across the country, which led to the seizure of products worth over seven hundred million naira. These products included illicit and unregistered pharmaceuticals such as Codeine syrup and expired tramadol, as well as contraband items like soaps, tomato paste, counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays.
“The Agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of Schedule 1 Narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors,” Mohammed explained. “We want to use this opportunity to encourage the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed food.”
NAFDAC urges the public to report any unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen engaging in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.
