The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, and substandard medical products estimated at ₦15 billion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The exercise, which took place under heavy security, was led by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Martins Iluyomade.
Adeyeye explained that the destruction was part of NAFDAC’s sustained war against fake and unsafe products circulating in the country. She listed the items destroyed to include banned and dangerous drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, Codeine cough syrup, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and some expired vaccines.
“The estimated street value of the products destroyed today stands at ₦15 billion. These items include counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered and expired drugs. By destroying them, we are eliminating the risk of their re-entry into the Nigerian market,” she said.
She noted that as the lead agency and chair of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, NAFDAC remained committed to ensuring that foods, medicines, cosmetics, chemicals, and packaged water available to Nigerians were safe, wholesome and effective.
Adeyeye expressed appreciation to the Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria for their collaboration. She also urged families to educate their wards against patronising quacks and unauthorised drug dealers.
In his goodwill message, a representative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, Mr. S.K. Tijani, reaffirmed the synergy between the Customs Service and NAFDAC in the battle against illicit drugs and unwholesome products.
“All stakeholders must play their part to rid the nation of criminal activities such as the importation and production of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome products,” Tijani stated.
The destruction exercise marks another milestone in NAFDAC’s clampdown on fake and substandard consumables, which have continued to threaten public health and safety across the country.
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