The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome drugs valued at more than N15 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The destruction exercise, conducted on Wednesday, was part of efforts to safeguard public health and prevent hazardous products from re-entering circulation.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, said the destroyed items included counterfeit, banned, unregistered, controlled, and expired medicines. Among them were Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-based syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, expired vaccines, and other harmful substances.
Adeyeye disclosed that the agency recently intercepted a container falsely labeled as diclofenac but which contained over 100,000 smuggled anti-malarial tablets packed in 277 cartons. She said the suspect behind the shipment had been arrested and would face prosecution.
She further revealed that NAFDAC operatives uncovered illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials during an operation at a military barracks in Lagos, while other dangerous products were seized nationwide from unlicensed drug outlets and black-market sellers.
The NAFDAC boss called on Nigerians, particularly community leaders, healthcare workers, religious leaders, and journalists, to join the campaign against fake and unregistered drugs by discouraging patronage of illegal vendors and reporting suspicious activities.
More than 25 seized 40-foot containers handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service were also destroyed, containing prohibited items such as Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry.
Adeyeye commended the collaboration of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and other partners in the agency’s fight against counterfeit and unwholesome products.
