The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Thursday during the destruction exercise held in the state capital. She was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade.
Adeyeye, who also serves as chairperson of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health.
“There is no doubt that drugs are a critical aspect of NAFDAC’s mandate, and the agency has established strict guidelines governing the licensing, sale and distribution of drug products,” she said.
The products destroyed included expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered, and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, Codeine cough syrup, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and various vaccines. According to the agency, the estimated street value of the items stood at N15 billion.
Adeyeye stressed that the destruction would eliminate the risk of such dangerous products re-entering the Nigerian market. She also commended the support of security and regulatory agencies, including the Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.
The DG further urged Nigerians to avoid patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers, while calling on stakeholders to sensitise their families and communities about the dangers of fake and substandard drugs.
Also speaking at the event, SK Tijani, who represented the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said there is strong synergy between Customs and NAFDAC in combating the production, importation, and circulation of unsafe drugs.
He emphasised that all stakeholders must remain committed to ensuring that the country is free from criminal activities linked to counterfeit and unwholesome products.