NAFDAC Destroys 189 Truckloads Of Fake Drugs, Products Nearly N3bn

Expired, substandard and falsified medical products before and during destruction weekend by National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Ogun State

Chioma Umeha

The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recorded what it considers as a major breakthrough weekend, for destroying 189 truckloads of expired, substandard and falsified medical products valued at N2.7 billion at the Oke-diya dumpsite in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the agency told journalists during the destruction exercise that 189 trucks conveyed the unsafe and unwholesome drugs – the highest ever recorded by NAFDAC – to the destruction venue.
Some of the products destroyed were either seized by NAFDAC from manufacturers, importers and distributors or voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and Trade Unions.
According to Prof Adeyeye, Tramadol worth N283.5 million, which could have destroyed many young lives and families, were involved in the destruction exercise.
Tramadol, she explained, is a ‘deceiver’ drugs which makes the individual feel good during consumption, while it fries the brain as well as destroy different organs of the body.
The Director-General said; “This destruction exercise, which is in line with our strategy, is aimed at eradicating the re-introduction of expired, substandard and Falsified (SFs) medical products, as well as unsafe and unwholesome NAFDAC regulated products into circulation in the country.
“The products being destroyed today are products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
“Also up for destruction are expired products voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Trade Unions.
“The estimated street value of the products scheduled for destruction today is N2, 675,896,538.20,’’ she said.
The DG said that NAFDAC had been given the mandate by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the health of Nigerians is safeguarded.
“In line with this mandate, the agency stepped up its prevention, detection and response activities towards the elimination of SFs, unwholesome foods and counterfeiting of all NAFDAC regulated products in the preceding year by training and retraining of relevant NAFDAC staff.’
Adeyeye appealed to the judiciary to take sterner view of counterfeiting and apply stiffer sanctions to deter counterfeiters, because of the danger they continue to pose to the society of their dangerous products.
She also pleaded with the National Assembly to pass the Counterfeit Medical Products Bill that will strengthen the Agency’s fight against counterfeiting in Nigeria the country.
In his remarks, the Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Barrister Kingsley Ejiofor linked the high number of truckloads of products to hard work, intensified activity and strong collaboration with other stakeholders.
The representatives of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Custom and the Police at the destruction exercise reiterated their commitment and support for NFDAC in reducing the quantity of fake, expired and adulterated drugs in the country.



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