The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken a firm stand against counterfeit products by destroying falsified drugs, medical devices, and other substandard items valued at ₦43 billion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
This significant operation was conducted on the 19th of September, 2024, at a dumpsite in Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Christiana Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shabba Mohammed, revealed that the destroyed goods were voluntarily surrendered by responsible companies, non-governmental organizations, and trade unions.
Breaking down the haul, Adeyeye explained that a series of raids across multiple locations led to the seizure of both registered and unregistered pharmaceutical products, ensuring they could no longer endanger public health.
“The confiscated products include aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and prescription-only medications.
“More than 30 types of products were seized in total. These included banned Codeine substances, narcotic drugs, antimalarials, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, and antibiotics worth over ₦48 million, all confiscated from drug hawkers.
“NAFDAC also gathered intelligence on the illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of Schedule One narcotics by certain pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations across the country, she said.
“The Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided several pharmaceutical warehouses and premises nationwide, seizing products worth over ₦700 million.”
She also mentioned that more items marked for destruction were seized during raids conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
“These included illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products such as Codeine syrup, expired Tramadol, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, and other drugs.
“Other confiscated items included contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays.”
Adeyeye, however, urged the public to back NAFDAC’s efforts in combating counterfeit drugs, fake products, and substandard processed foods by reporting dishonest manufacturers and traders involved in illegal activities to the nearest NAFDAC office for swift investigation.
Security agencies, the Oyo State Government, and other key stakeholders were present to observe the exercise.