The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The agency’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during the exercise. She was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade. Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC, as lead agency and chair of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, remains committed to ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks are safe for human consumption.
The statement reads, “There is no doubt that drugs are a critical aspect of NAFDAC’s mandate, and the agency has established strict guidelines governing the licensing, sale and distribution of drug products.
“The products we destroyed today (Thursday) include expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, Codeine cough syrup, Tramadol, Oxytocin and various types of vaccines.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed today (Thursday) stands at N15 billion naira only.”
Adeyeye explained that the destruction would prevent the re-entry of the dangerous products into Nigerian markets. She also thanked security agencies and professional bodies, including the Police, Nigerian Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, for their collaboration.
She urged stakeholders to educate their families and communities about the risks of buying from quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, SK Tijani said Customs and NAFDAC were working closely to combat the circulation of fake and unsafe products nationwide. He stressed the need for all stakeholders to play their part in safeguarding public health.
