The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome medical products estimated at ₦15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The destruction exercise took place on Thursday and was supervised by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade.
According to the DG, the move underscores NAFDAC’s resolve to safeguard the health of Nigerians by preventing harmful products from circulating in the market.
“Drugs are a critical component of our mandate. We have put in place stringent measures to regulate their licensing, sales, and distribution,” Adeyeye said.
“The items destroyed include expired, counterfeit, unregistered, and banned medicines such as codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, cocodamol, analgin, and various vaccines. Their street value is estimated at ₦15 billion.”
She stressed that the destruction was necessary to eliminate the risk of the seized products being recycled into the Nigerian market, adding that the fight against fake drugs requires collective effort.
“We urge stakeholders and families to educate their wards about the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorized medicine vendors,” she advised.
The agency also commended the collaboration of security and regulatory bodies, including the Police, Nigerian Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, for their support in the operation.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, SK Tijani reiterated Customs’ partnership with NAFDAC in tackling the menace of fake and substandard products nationwide.
“This fight is not for NAFDAC alone. Every stakeholder has a responsibility to ensure our markets are rid of harmful and illegally imported products,” Tijani stated.
NAFDAC maintains that it will intensify its monitoring and enforcement activities to rid Nigeria of counterfeit and unsafe medical products.
