The Federal Government, through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has destroyed substandard products, including counterfeit drugs and medical devices, worth N43 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The exercise was carried out on Thursday at the Moniya dump site in the Akinyele Local Government area of the state, with representatives from security agencies and the Oyo State Government in attendance.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shabba Mohammed, said that the products were voluntarily surrendered to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations and trade unions.
Adeyeye detailed the extensive efforts that led to the confiscation of numerous unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products, citing various raids across different locations.
The seized items, she said included aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, over-the-counter medications, and prescription-only drugs.
The NAFDAC boss, however, stressed the importance of public involvement in combating counterfeit drugs and unwholesome food products. She urged citizens to report unlawful practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for immediate investigation.
“Over thirty different products were seized in total,” she noted, highlighting that the confiscated items included banned substances such as codeine and narcotics, with a total value exceeding N48 million.
“The agency has been actively gathering intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of narcotics by pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other states.”
“Recent raids conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate resulted in the confiscation of products worth over N700 million.
“In addition to counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the operation also targeted contraband items such as unregistered soaps, tomato paste, and counterfeit beverages.
“By taking these actions, NAFDAC aims to protect the health and safety of the public while promoting compliance within the pharmaceutical industry,” she stated.