In a significant move to safeguard public health, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) carried out a comprehensive operation resulting in the destruction of fake and expired goods valued at approximately N500 million. The agency’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, spearheaded this initiative, which took place during a routine nationwide exercise in Abuja.
Among the destroyed items were drugs containing psychoactive and controlled substances, including antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal snuff, and herbal remedies. These drugs, often confiscated from drug hawkers, posed severe risks to consumers due to their dubious origins and lack of quality control. Additionally, several food products, such as Spaghetti, vegetable oil, and non-alcoholic beverages, were disposed of to prevent their entry into the market. Notably, a 1 by 40ft container of unregistered Faurecia instant-powered milk, handed over to NAFDAC by the Nigeria Customs Services, was among the confiscated items.
The operation also targeted cosmetics, including creams, lotions, and pomades, as well as skin-lightening creams seized from SPAS and beauty centers. Chemicals like fake insecticides and various medical devices were part of the destruction initiative, underlining the broad scope of the operation.
NAFDAC’s efforts were not limited to seized goods; expired and unwholesome products voluntarily submitted for destruction by complaint companies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria were also disposed of. This collective action aimed to ensure that these products do not find their way into the hands of unsuspecting consumers, protecting them from potential harm.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye emphasized the agency’s proactive approach to tackling counterfeit goods, terming drug counterfeiting as an act of economic sabotage and a severe threat to public health. Under her leadership, NAFDAC has engaged various stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional figures, faith leaders, journalists, and the public, to raise awareness about the dangers associated with substandard and falsified medicines.
Adeyeye urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to NAFDAC. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility, NAFDAC aims to create a safer marketplace, ensuring that consumers have access to genuine, high-quality products while cracking down on counterfeiters and unscrupulous traders. This recent operation serves as a testament to NAFDAC’s commitment to upholding public health standards and combating the proliferation of substandard and fake goods in the market.
