The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome drugs valued at over N15 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The destruction exercise, held on Wednesday, was aimed at preventing these hazardous products from re-entering the market and posing risks to public health.
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, stated the seriousness of the agency’s ongoing crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical operations.
Represented at the event by Dr Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Adeyeye revealed that the destroyed products included counterfeit, banned, unregistered, controlled, and expired medicines.
Among the items were Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-based cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and several expired vaccines, all posing severe health hazards.
She pointed out a recent seizure in which a container falsely labeled as diclofenac was found to contain anti-malarial drugs, over 100,000 tablets in 277 cartons, smuggled into the country.
“The suspect linked to this shipment has been arrested and will face prosecution,” Adeyeye said, stressing the need to deter illegal drug importers and distributors.
The NAFDAC chief also disclosed that during a separate operation at a military barracks in Lagos, the agency seized illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials.
Other confiscated items were recovered during nationwide raids targeting black-market drug sellers, counterfeiters, and unlicensed medicine outlets.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians, especially community leaders, healthcare professionals, religious figures, and journalists, to educate the public about the dangers of patronizing unlicensed drug vendors and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
She called for citizen participation in reporting suspicious activities to strengthen regulatory oversight and protect public health.
The exercise also included more than 25 seized 40-foot containers provided by the Nigeria Customs Service, containing prohibited items such as Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry.
“These products form part of today’s destruction, marking another victory in our fight against harmful and illegal substances,” Adeyeye stated.
She also commended the support of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, DSS, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, and other agencies in NAFDAC’s regulatory mission.
NAFDAC destroys N15bn worth of counterfeit, expired drugs in Ibadan