The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed fake, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products worth N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The announcement was made by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during the destruction event held in Ibadan, the state capital.
Speaking through NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s firm commitment to ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages are safe, wholesome, and effective for human use.
“Drugs are a vital part of NAFDAC’s mandate, and the agency has put in place strict regulations governing the licensing, sale, and distribution of drug products,” she said.
She added, “The items destroyed today include expired, counterfeit, unregulated, unregistered, and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, and various vaccines.”
“The total estimated street value of these products destroyed today is N15 billion.”
The Director-General emphasized that destroying these products would prevent their potential re-entry into the Nigerian market, thereby protecting public health.
Adeyeye also expressed gratitude for the support from security agencies including the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.
She urged all stakeholders to educate their families and communities about the risks of purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors and quacks.
Speaking on behalf of the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, S.K. Tijani highlighted the strong collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC in combating fake, expired, substandard, and unsafe drugs nationwide.
He stressed that every stakeholder must contribute to eradicating criminal activities in the country.
