In an attempt to tackle the production, sales, and distribution of contraband pharmaceutical products in the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Oyo has destroyed substandard products worth ₦43 billion.
The agency set the items ablaze on Thursday at the Moniya dump site located in the Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Present at the venue to monitor the exercise were NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Christiana Adeyeye, representatives from various security agencies, and the Oyo State Government.
At the exercise, Adeyeye, who was represented by Pharm Shabba Mohammed, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, stated that the products were voluntarily surrendered to the agency by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trade unions.
According to Professor Adeyeye, the confiscation of these registered and unregistered pharmaceutical products was achieved through a series of raids conducted in various locations.
Among the confiscated products were aphrodisiacs, sex enhancement medications, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription-only pharmaceuticals.
Other items included banned substances such as codeine and narcotics, with a total value exceeding ₦48 million.
According to the NAFDAC DG, “Over thirty different products were seized in total. The agency has been actively gathering intelligence on the illegal warehousing, sale, and distribution of narcotics by pharmaceutical vendors in Lagos and other states.
“Recent raids conducted by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate resulted in the confiscation of products worth over ₦700 million.
“In addition to counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the operation also targeted contraband items such as unregistered soaps, tomato paste, and counterfeit beverages,” Adeyeye added.
She called on members of the public to actively participate in the fight against counterfeit medications and substandard food items by reporting illegal activities to the nearest NAFDAC office for prompt investigation.
“Through these measures, NAFDAC seeks to safeguard public health and safety while fostering adherence to regulations within the pharmaceutical sector,” Adeyeye concluded.