The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed counterfeit drugs worth One Hundred Billion Naira at the Moniya dump site in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the fake drugs were confiscated from pharmaceutical drug marketers in the Idumota market, Lagos.
According to her, the move was necessary to stop expired, fake, substandard, and falsified drugs from re-entering the market.
Speaking during the destruction exercise, Adeyeye, represented by NAFDAC’s Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Yedunni Adenuga, said, “Today, you are witnessing the destruction of expired, falsified, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines removed from Idumota Open Drug outlets.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed stands at One Hundred Billion Naira (₦100,000,000,000). During the three-week exercise, several suspects were apprehended. Further investigation is being carried out; those found culpable will be sanctioned.”
Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC, as the lead agency and chair of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, is committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks are safe for human consumption.
She added that NAFDAC has strict guidelines for licensing, sale, and distribution of drug products to guarantee their quality and safety.
Highlighting recent enforcement actions, she said, “NAFDAC’s recent enforcement activities at the Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, and Ezeuku open drug markets were mind-boggling. The discoveries made include unregistered products, banned drugs such as Analgin, and controlled substances like Tramadol 225mg, which pose serious security risks to our country.”
Adeyeye praised the support received from the National Security Adviser, who approved the use of over 1,000 security personnel, including the military, police, and Department of State Services, for the operation.
She also appealed to the public, community leaders, health practitioners, and the media to join the fight against fake drugs, saying, “NAFDAC cannot do it alone. It is a fight for all.”
The agency reaffirmed its dedication to maternal and child health, noting that during the recent operation, a large amount of poorly stored vaccines and medical products were also seized.
