The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed fake, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at ₦15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This was announced by the Director-General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, during the destruction in Ibadan, the state capital.
Represented by NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, Adeyeye said the agency remained resolutely committed to ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks were safe, wholesome, and effective for human consumption.
“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.
“The products we destroyed today (Thursday) include expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered, and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, and various types of vaccines.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed today (Thursday) stands at N15bn only.”
She stated that the destruction of those products would eliminate the risk of their re-entry into the Nigerian market.
The DG appreciated the support of the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, NDLEA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, among others.
She, therefore, urged stakeholders to educate their families and wards about the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.
S.K. Tijani, who spoke on behalf of the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, stated that there was synergy between Customs and NAFDAC in the fight against fake, expired, substandard, and unwholesome drugs and products nationwide.
He said all stakeholders must play their part in ensuring that the nation is free from criminal activities.
The PUNCH
