NAFDAC destroys fake products worth N43bn in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday in Ibadan began the destruction of fake products worth N43 billion.

The exercise tagged “Investigation and Enforcement, Lagos destruction of fake, expired, substandard and falsified drugs, medical devices and unwholesome regulated products”,  was carried out at Moniya dump site, Ibadan.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, was represented by the NAFDAC Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr Shaba Mohammed.

She said the products being destroyed comprised food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC Regulated Products.

These were seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.

Adeyeye added that the destroyed products also included damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, NGOs and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

“The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is N43 billion; NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safeguarded.

“As such, it is committed to eliminating medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals, medical devices, and other products.

“There were several hawkers’ raids carried out across various locations in Lagos. Several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products were seized.

“The products seized comprise various aphrodisiacs and sex enhancement drugs. Some Over-The-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Only Medicines (POM) drugs were also found and seized from the hawkers.

“Over 30 wares were seized in total.

“Products peddled by these drug hawkers including banned Codeine substances and narcotic drugs (e.g. Tramadol capsules), Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, Antibiotics worth over N48 million were confiscated,” she said.

She said the agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale and distribution of Schedule 1 Narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations in the country.

Adeyeye added that the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the agency raided some pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the country to confiscate products worth over N700 million following discrete surveillance.

“Some other products for destruction today are some products that were mopped up from circulation during Investigation and Enforcement Directorate’s raids.

“These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products, such as codeine syrup, expired tramadol, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, and many other unregistered drugs.

“Other products are contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays,” she said.

Adeyeye urged the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs, unwholesome processed food and other NAFDAC-regulated products.

This, she added, should be done by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC Office for prompt investigation.