Substandard Drugs: We Won’t Be Pressured To Abandon Our Commitment To Public Safety – Prof Adeyeye

 

L-R:  Dr. Gbenga Fajemirokun, Special Adviser to the Director General, NAFDAC; Dr. Anthony Joseph Hotton, Deputy Director, PID NAFDAC;  Prof. Moji Christainah Adeyeye, Director General NAFDAC; Mr. Ougustine Oboli, Director Admin and Human Resources Management NAFDAC; Dr. Timothy Bamgboshe, T A to the DG. NAFDAC and Mrs. Obiazikwor Christiana, DD I/c Public Relations NAFDAC, at the press conference on update on the ongoing enforcement operation on open drug markets in Nigeria, which was held in Lagos, on Friday.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not be pressured to abandon its commitment to public safety and rid the country of substandard drugs.

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC, said this at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, where he refuted reports claiming that it coerced traders to pay N700,000 for a service that they are not aware of.

Prof. Adeyeye explained that the charges are investigative and had been reduced from N5 million to N200,000 for selling unregistered drugs, and from N2 million to N500,000 for storage violations.

She insisted that the decision to seal drug shops and impose investigative charges followed due process.

“There is no unconditional opening of any market or shop. NAFDAC is standing strong. We are not caving in and will not be pressured,” the DG stressed.

She revealed that between February 9 and March 27, 2025, NAFDAC seized over ₦1 trillion worth of counterfeit, expired, and illegal drugs in markets like Idumota, Ariaria, and Onitsha Bridgehead. At the latter, 137 truckloads of illicit drugs, including 10 full truckloads of unregistered Tramadol, were evacuated.

To resume operations, affected shop owners must report to NAFDAC’s Onitsha office, pay the required charges, and sign an agreement acknowledging the temporary reopening under strict conditions.

Adeyeye emphasized that none of the closed shops held valid site licenses from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), which is required by law.

“When nine out of ten shops are in violation, we cannot leave one open,” she said, adding that some traders were complicit in trafficking narcotics. “These individuals are bringing in narcotics to destroy the minds of our youth.”

She reiterated the government's plan to relocate drug sellers to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs), citing Kano’s successful enforcement after a court battle and security-backed relocation. The move, she said, aims to curb the distribution of counterfeit drugs and align with global trade standards.

Adeyeye concluded by stressing the health risks posed by substandard drugs and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety. “Whatever is circulating online about unconditional reopening is false. We remain firm in our duty to protect public health.”