Ibadan, Oyo State — In a major crackdown on unsafe pharmaceutical products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) today destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and substandard drugs valued at over ₦15 billion. The destruction exercise took place at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Key Details
- The destroyed items included medicines such as Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-containing cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and various expired vaccines.
- Some of the products were falsely labelled, such as a container labelled “diclofenac” which was discovered to contain anti-malaria drugs.
- The operation was carried out under the supervision of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation & Enforcement.
Purpose & Significance
- The move is part of an intensified effort by NAFDAC to protect public health by keeping dangerous, unwholesome, and falsified pharmaceutical products out of the supply chain.
- NAFDAC stated that the destruction aims to prevent these counterfeit or expired drugs from re-entering the market, where they pose significant risks.
Stakeholders & Public Notice
- Various enforcement and regulatory bodies were involved in the operation, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force.
- The agency urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug vendors or outlets to NAFDAC to help curb the circulation of unsafe or fraudulent products.
What Comes Next
- Legal action is expected for those responsible for importing, distributing, or selling these falsified or expired drugs.
- NAFDAC also plans to intensify its regulatory inspections, especially in open drug markets and unlicensed outlets, to prevent similar occurrences.
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