Fake and Expired Drugs Worth N15bn Set Ablaze by NAFDAC in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during the destruction exercise held on Thursday. She was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade.

Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices, packaged water, and beverages in circulation are safe, effective, and of good quality.

She explained that the destroyed items included expired and counterfeit medicines such as Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, as well as banned and unregistered vaccines.

“The estimated street value of these products stands at N15 billion. Their destruction is necessary to prevent any possibility of them re-entering the Nigerian market,” she stated.

The DG also appreciated the support of the Nigerian Police, Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, among others, in the fight against drug counterfeiting.

Representing the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, S.K. Tijani emphasized the strong collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC in eliminating the circulation of dangerous and fake products nationwide.

He urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts in protecting the country from criminal activities linked to substandard and falsified drugs.