Whistleblower: NAFDAC confiscates fake drugs, wines, injections worth over N200 million

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it has confiscated counterfeit and unregistered products estimated over N200 million across the nation.

The fake products, including a cloned herbal bitter drink known as Merry Jedi-Plus Bitter Cleanser, were stocked in a building at 11 Omotosho Crescent, off Ewedana Street, Toll Gate, Ota in Ogun State.

The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni during a pressing briefing in Lagos on Thursday, said that over ten suspected persons have been arrested and are being interrogated in connection with the fake products.

She also said that the confiscation and arrests were made possible through information gathered from whistle-blowers.

Oni, who was represented by the Director, Port Inspectorate, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, said some of the products were produced in dirty environment by unqualified personnel.

She said that empty plastic bottles, caps, cartons and sticker labels of other products were also found in the facility, while the address on the labels of all the products were fake.

Other unwholesome products uncovered by the agency include six cartoons of unregistered Pethidine injection, five containers of fake pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol tablets and capsules (200mg), Da Really Extra, fake chest and lung tablets shipped into the country, but intercepted at the Tincan Island Container Terminal in Lagos State.

The agency also raided a number of shops at Ogbaru Relief Market in Onitsha, Anambra State were fake St Remy Brandy, Red Label (Johnny Walker) Whisky, Baron De Vals Red Wine, Eagle Schnapps Dry Gin, McDowell Whisky, Moet, Chandon Wine, 501 Brandy among others were produced, distributed and sold.

Oni disclosed that the fake and unwholesome alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks of various popular brands were estimate at over N200 million.

She mentioned that the drinks were produced by manual mixing in plastic buckets and filled into bottles under unhygienic conditions.