The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control on Monday launched an enforcement exercise at the popular Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State.
During the raid, led by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, a large quantity of fake, substandard, and expired drugs was seized from various shops.
Speaking to journalists, Iluyomade said the operation was part of NAFDAC’s efforts to rid Nigeria of fake, banned, and harmful products and to protect the public from health risks.
“Today, we are commencing our enforcement at the Ogbo-Ogu Market. Over time, we’ve gathered intelligence on fake and substandard drugs in the market. We discovered that some people are repackaging counterfeit drugs to deceive unsuspecting buyers,” Iluyomade said.
He explained that the exercise, carried out in collaboration with the market task force, was happening simultaneously across all South-East states.
“The aim is to clean up drug markets and protect public health. We found expired, banned, repackaged, and substandard drugs, including antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, antimalarials, aphrodisiacs, herbal remedies, and psychoactive substances,” he added.
Iluyomade warned that these counterfeit drugs could cause death or permanent disability. He stressed that seizing the products would prevent them from re-entering the market.
Among the banned and fake products confiscated were tramadol (above 100 mg), codeine, gentamycin (280 mg), analgin, controlled substances, vaccines, unwholesome food items, beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, and even empty packaging materials used for repackaging fake drugs.
He urged the public to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and registered outlets, assuring that NAFDAC, security operatives, and other stakeholders were monitoring the situation closely.
When asked about the value of the seized products, Iluyomade said it was an ongoing exercise, and the total worth would be determined at the end.
Representatives of trade unions, market leaders, the market task force, and other key stakeholders were also present during the enforcement.
