NAFDAC destroys substandard products worth N43bn in Oyo

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard products, including falsified drugs, medical devices, and other unwholesome regulated products worth forty-three billion naira (N43bn) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The exercise, which was witnessed by security agencies, Oyo State government representatives, and others, was carried out at the Moniya dump site in Lapite, Akinyele Local Government Area on Thursday.

The counterfeit products, as disclosed in a speech delivered by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shabba Mohammed, were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trade unions.

Providing a breakdown of the seized counterfeit products, the Director General disclosed that several raids were conducted at various locations, leading to the seizure of numerous unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products.

The confiscated products include aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and prescription-only medicine (POM) drugs.

She further stated, “Over thirty types of products were seized in total. Items sold by these drug hawkers, including banned codeine substances, narcotic drugs, antimalarials, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, and antibiotics worth over forty-eight million naira, were confiscated.

“The Agency gathered intelligence on the illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of Schedule 1 narcotics by some pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations in the country.

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“The Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the country, confiscating products worth over seven hundred million naira.

“Some of the products for destruction 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, antimalarials, and many other drugs.

“Other products include contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes, and body sprays.

“We want to use this opportunity to encourage the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs, as well as unwholesome processed foods and other NAFDAC-regulated products. Report unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.”