The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Southwest Zone have destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products worth N20 billion during its routine destruction exercise in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health by eliminating illicit drugs, falsified medical products, unwholesome foods, and unsafe chemicals from the Nigerian market.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement), Apapa Lagos, Mrs. Florence Uba, said the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the country of all harmful and volatile products.
“The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food products and food additives, Unsafe Cosmetics, Counterfeits, and other Expired NAFDAC Regulated Products seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
“Up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency.
“The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N20,000,000,000 (twenty billion naira) only”, she said.
Adeyeye commended the collaboration of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continued support in the fight against counterfeiters.
“Custom handed over 25 containers to be destroyed, which include various pharmaceutical products and a reefer container for this destruction.
“My appreciation also goes to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all stakeholders who have united in the fight against Substandard and Falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products
“To the community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, gentlemen of the press, and all Nigerians, it is imperative that you educate your families and wards about the dangers of patronizing quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.
“NAFDAC calls upon everyone to actively participate in this fight; it is a collective responsibility. Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians”, she said.
