General
NAFDAC destroys N1.32bn worth of unwholesome goods in S/East
On Monday, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) destroyed unwholesome goods in the South East zone worth about N1.32 billion.
The items, which were generated from five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, included drugs, cosmetics, beverages and other regulated products.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the agency, said the destroyed goods were expired, substandard, counterfeited and banned items which were voluntarily surrendered, seized and ordered for destruction by the courts.
Adeyeye, who was represented by Mr Kingsley Ejiofor, the Director Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, said that 80 per cent of the destroyed items were drug related products.
She said NAFDAC had zero tolerance for counterfeit products as they posed serious danger to public and individual health and encouraged Nigerians to report cases of suspected unwholesome products for appropriate action.
“The cost of what is being destroyed is valued at about N1.32 billion and 80 per cent is drugs, others are cosmetics and other regulated products.
“Imagine if these products are in circulation, consider what it will mean to public health; that is why we are encouraging people to report cases of counterfeited, expired and suspected unwholesome products to NAFDAC,” he said.
Mrs Olajumoke Ojetokun, the Enugu Zonal Coordinator of NAFDAC, commended the agency’s stakeholders for the success of the exercise.
Ojetokun said that, NAFDAC warehouses and offices in the zone were filled with such unwholesome products because of the positive disposition of its stakeholders to its sensitisation efforts.
She said the agency was determined to ensure that, the entire South East markets for all NAFDAC regulated product were free of expired, counterfeited, banned and unwholesome products.
On his part, Mr Obianika Okafor, the General Manager of E.I. Ejison, one of the stakeholders who voluntarily surrendered its product to NAFDAC, said it was important to also prosecute offenders after seizures.
Okafor said the company observed a production error in a batch of one of its products, recalled it and called on NAFDAC for handover and destruction.
He, however, urged producers and importers to ensure that their products fulfilled all quality and certification processes to avoid the colossal economic loss related to seizures and destruction by the regulatory body.
NAN
-
Metro24 hours ago
Three killed, two injured in Kano building collapse – NEMA
-
Sports10 hours ago
Ancelotti confirms Arda Guler’s stay at Real Madrid
-
Entertainment11 hours ago
Doris Simeon reveals struggle working odd jobs to survive in US
-
News11 hours ago
‘Disbursement ongoing’, FG gives update on N50,000 grants
-
Entertainment11 hours ago
Ex-BBnaija star Miracle graduates with distinction from aviation school
-
Politics8 hours ago
Ibadan residents defy curfew amid LG polls
-
News8 hours ago
Yahaya Bello: EFCC confirms refund of $760,000
-
health8 hours ago
Japa: 58,000 doctors renewed licences in 2023, says medical council