N55bn Fake, Banned, Illicit Drugs Destroyed In Oyo

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed over N55 billion worth of fake, banned, substandard, unwholesome, illicit drugs and pharmaceutical products in Ibadan, Oyo State.

NAFDAC said it has been charged with the responsibility to ensuring that the health of every Nigerian is safeguarded, and as such, is committed to eliminating SFs’ medical products, illicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals, medical devices, and other products, and will continue to find ways to rid the nation of all volatile products.

Speaking during the destruction of the drug, the director-general of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the routine exercise, which was in line with the agency’s mandate, and a strategy aimed at preventing re-introduction of expired, substandard and falsified (SFs) medical devices, as well as other spurious, unsafe and unwholesome NAFDAC Regulated Products from being reintroduced into circulation.

Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement, Papa Lagos), Mrs Florence Ubah maintained that the products being destroyed during the 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.

She said, “It is important to state that, up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by more than seventy compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

This is commendable. The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is worth over N55.4 billion.”

She thanked the Police, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), 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 been united in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products.

She, however, appealed to religious leaders, community leaders, health practitioners, journalists, and all Nigerians about the importance of educating their families and wards about the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine/food dealers.

She said everyone must actively participate in the fight, because it is a collective responsibility, adding that “together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.