By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Substandard products worth ₦43 billion were on Thursday, destroyed in Ibadan by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
The substandard products were destroyed by the agency at the Moniya dump site in Lapite, Akinyele local government,
NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye while speaking disclosed that the products were voluntarily surrendered to NAFDAC by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trade unions.
including counterfeit drugs, medical devices, and other unwholesome regulated items worth
Speaking through the NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shabba Mohammed, Prof Adeyeye stated that several raids were carried out at various locations leading to the seizure of several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products.
According to Prof Adeyeye, the confiscated products included aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, Over The Counter, (OTC), and Prescription Only Medicine, (POM) drugs.
“Over thirty wares were seized in total. Products peddled by these drug hawkers including banned Codeine substances, narcotic drugs, Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, and Antibiotics worth over forty-eight million naira were confiscated” she said.
The NAFDAC DG added, “The Agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale and distribution of schedule 1 Narcotics by some Pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other local actions in the Country.The Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided some Pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the Country to confiscate products worth over seven hundred million naira”.
“Some other products for destruction are some products that were mopped up from circulation during Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raids. These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products such as Codeine syrup, expired tramadol, aphrodisiacs, anti-malaria, and many other drugs.
Other products are contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes and body spray
She however tasked Nigerians ” to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed food and other NAFDAC Regulated products by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.”
‘’The vision of the Agency is to become a World Class Regulator that ensures availability of quality and safe Food, Drugs, and other Regulated Products. The mission of the Agency is to protect and promote the public health by instituting an effective and efficient regulatory system that ensures only the right quality food, drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised, distributed, sold, and used.
‘’This administration is fully committed to the fulfillment of this vision and mission to safeguard the health of all Nigerians. This is being achieved through implementation of various policies and strategies to make the impact of NAFDAC felt in every family in Nigeria and the Diaspora where NAFDAC regulated products are consumed.
‘’As part of the strategies to fight counterfeiting of regulated products in the country and the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Policy, the Federal Government directed the establishment of Four (4) Coordinated Wholesale Centers (CWC) across the country. The Kano CWC took off early this year as the flagship’’.
