By Adeyinka Adeniran
The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) on Thursday 19 September, 2024 destroyed substandard products including falsified drugs, medical devices and other unwholesome regulated products worth N43bilion in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The exercise which was witnessed by the security agencies, Oyo state government representatives and other others was carried out at Moniya dump site, Lapite in Akinyele local government area.
The counterfeited products, according to the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye who was represented by the Director Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shabba Mohammed were voluntarily handed over to the Agency by compliant companies, Non Governmental Organizations, (NGOs) and Trade Unions.
Giving the breakdown of the seized counterfeited products, the Director General disclosed that several raids were carried out at various locations which led to the seizure of several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products.
The confiscated products, according to her include aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, Over The Counter, (OTC) and Prescription Only Medicine, (POM) drugs.
She stated further, “Over thirty wares were seized in total. Products peddles by these drug hawkers including banned Codeine substances, narcotic drugs, Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, Antibiotics worth over forty eight million naira were confiscated.
“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 includes 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
“We want to use this opportunity to encourage the public 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.”
