NAFDAC destroys N15 billion substandard products in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unwholesome and substandard products worth approximately N15 billion at a dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State. The destruction exercise, which took place on Wednesday, aimed to eliminate the risk of these dangerous products re-entering the Nigerian market and harming public health.

According to NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the destroyed items included counterfeit, expired, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines and medical products. Other products destroyed were Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-containing cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and various expired vaccines, all of which posed significant health risks if consumed or circulated.

The estimated street value of the destroyed products was more than N15 billion, highlighting the scale and seriousness of illegal pharmaceutical operations in Nigeria. Recently, NAFDAC seized a container falsely labeled as diclofenac but filled with anti-malaria drugs, with over 100,000 tablets smuggled into the country. The suspect linked to the shipment has been arrested and will face legal prosecution to serve as a deterrent to other illegal drug importers and distributors.

NAFDAC also discovered and confiscated a wide range of illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials during a raid on a military barracks in Lagos. The agency has urged community leaders, health professionals, religious figures, and journalists to educate the public on the dangers of patronizing unlicensed drug sellers and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.

The destruction of these products is a significant step in protecting public health and strengthening the nation’s regulatory system. NAFDAC has called for public participation in the fight against substandard products, urging Nigerians to report suspicious drug activities to help protect lives. Public vigilance and collaboration remain crucial in ensuring that fake, dangerous, and illegal health products are kept off the streets and out of Nigerian homes.

The agency has expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for handing over seized containers of prohibited products, including Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry. The strong support from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, DSS, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and other stakeholders has also been acknowledged. The destruction of these products marks another victory in the battle against violative and harmful substances, and reinforces the need for continued efforts to protect public health and safety.