NAFDAC Destroys ₦15bn Worth of Fake, Expired Drugs in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products and consumables valued at more than ₦15 billion.

The destruction exercise, which took place at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State, was witnessed by representatives of security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Ministry of Environment, and the Association of Community Pharmacists.

Speaking on behalf of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said the move was part of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians from unsafe and substandard products.

The destroyed items included Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine-based syrups, tramadol, oxytocin, falsified vaccines, and other counterfeit or unregistered medicines, with a combined street value of over ₦15 billion.

Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that recent enforcement operations uncovered a consignment disguised as diclofenac, which turned out to be anti-malaria drugs worth millions of naira. She also cited the discovery of illegal factories producing cosmetics within a military barracks in Lagos, as well as other seizures nationwide.

She commended the Nigeria Customs Service for handing over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products, including tramadol, artesunate injections, and codeine syrups, alongside prohibited frozen chicken all of which were destroyed at the site.

“We are resolutely committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages consumed in Nigeria are safe, wholesome, and effective,” Adeyeye said. “This destruction exercise ensures these dangerous products do not find their way back into circulation.”

The Oyo State Director of NAFDAC, Mr. Samuel Adeyemi, reaffirmed the agency’s zero tolerance for counterfeit and substandard products, urging citizens to remain vigilant. “If you see something, say something,” he stressed.

Adeyeye further appealed to community leaders, health workers, religious figures, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns against patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine vendors.

“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she added.