NAFDAC Destroys N43bn Substandard Products In Oyo

The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard products worth N43 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The products included fake drugs, medical devices and other unwholesome regulated products.

At the exercise, which was carried out at the Lapite dump site, Moniya, in the Akinyele Local Government Area state, the NAFDAC director-general, Christiana Adeyeye, said the counterfeited products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations, and trade unions.

While giving the breakdown of the seized products, Adeyeye, who represented Shabba Mohammed, the director of investigation and enforcement, said several raids were carried out at various locations, which led to the seizure of several unregistered and registered pharmaceutical products.

“The confiscated products include aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement drugs, over-the-counter, and prescription-only medicine drugs. Over 30 wares were seized in total.

Products peddled by these drug hawkers, including banned Codeine substances, narcotic drugs, Antimalarial, Aphrodisiacs, Analgesics, and Antibiotics worth over 48 million naira, were confiscated.

“The agency gathered intelligence on illegal warehousing, sale and distribution of schedule one Narcotics by some Pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other locations in the country.

“The Investigation and Enforcement Directorate raided some Pharmaceutical warehouses and premises across the country to confiscate products worth over seven hundred million naira”, she said.

She explained that some other products for destruction were mopped up from circulation during investigation and enforcement directorate raids.

“These include illicit and unregistered pharmaceutical products such as Codeine syrup, expired tramadol, aphrodisiacs, anti-malaria and many other drugs.

“Other products are contraband soaps, tomato paste, unregistered and counterfeit drinks, food products, perfumes and body spray.

Adeyeye said, ” We want to use this opportunity to encourage the public to join NAFDAC in the fight against counterfeit drugs, unwholesome processed food, and other NAFDAC-regulated products by reporting unscrupulous manufacturers and businessmen who engage in illicit practices to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.”

Security agencies, Oyo state government representatives, and other stakeholders witnessed the exercise.