The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), South-West Zone, on Thursday, commenced the destruction of unwholesome and substandard products valued at over ₦20 billion in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The destruction exercise, which was carried out at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, aimed to prevent hazardous products from re-entering the market and endangering public health, NAFDAC director-general, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, said.
Prof. Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs. Florence Uba, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Apapa, Lagos, explained that the items being destroyed included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed foods and additives, unsafe cosmetics, and other expired goods.
She added that the agency had seized the products from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
“Also scheduled for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations, and trade unions,” she noted.
According to her, the estimated street value of the products planned for destruction was ₦20 billion, declaring that, “NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safeguarded, and as such, it is committed to achieving its mandate.”
She appealed to community leaders, health professionals, religious figures, and journalists to help raise awareness about the dangers of buying medicines from unlicensed drug vendors and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
She expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for handing over more than 25 containers of confiscated items for destruction.
Prof. Adeyeye also commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for their continuous support of NAFDAC’s operations, reiterating that NAFDAC would not relent in its efforts to rid the country of unsafe and fake goods.
