The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Southwest Zone, on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products worth N20 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The agency said the exercise was part of its routine operation to prevent expired, falsified, and unsafe medical products — as well as other NAFDAC-regulated items — from being recycled into circulation.
Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to protect public health by eliminating illicit drugs, fake medical products, contaminated foods, and hazardous chemicals from the market.
Adeyeye, represented by the Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement), Papa Lagos, Mrs. Florence Uba, said the agency would intensify nationwide surveillance to rid Nigeria of harmful and volatile products.
She said, “The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food products and food additives, Unsafe Cosmetics, Counterfeits, and other Expired NAFDAC Regulated Products seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
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“Up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency.Related News
“The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N20,000,000,000 (twenty billion naira only.”
She, however, commended the collaboration of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continued support in the fight against counterfeiters.
“Custom handed over 25 containers to be destroyed, which include various pharmaceutical products and a reefer container for this destruction.
“My appreciation also goes to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all stakeholders who have united in the fight against Substandard and Falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products
“To the community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, gentlemen of the press, and all Nigerians, it is imperative that you educate your families and wards about the dangers of patronizing quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.
“NAFDAC calls upon everyone to actively participate in this fight; it is a collective responsibility. Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.”
