The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) launched an enforcement operation on Monday at the Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Led by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the Director of NAFDAC’s South East Zone, the agency’s operatives seized a variety of adulterated, substandard, and expired drugs from multiple shops.
Speaking to journalists, Iluyomade emphasized that the operation aligns with NAFDAC’s mission to eliminate fake, banned, and unsafe regulated products from circulation in Nigeria, safeguarding the public from potential harm.
He stated that the agency collaborated with the market task force in the operation, which resulted in the seizure of multiple fake and banned products. He added that the enforcement exercise was conducted simultaneously across all South-East states.
“We are launching our enforcement operation at the Ogbo-Ogu Market today,” he said. “This exercise was prompted by ongoing data collection and intelligence gathering on the presence of fake and substandard drugs in the market. Our investigations revealed that individuals have been repackaging and rebagging counterfeit drugs, which necessitated this action.”
The operation aims to rid markets of fake and substandard drugs, including counterfeit, falsified, and unsafe medicinal products, as well as improperly processed items and other harmful regulated drugs.
“This enforcement is happening simultaneously across the South-East states,” he stated, “with the goal of sanitizing drug markets and protecting the health of unsuspecting members of the public.”
“The seized drugs include expired, banned, substandard, defective, repackaged, and recalled products. We discovered that some drug dealers are counterfeiting popular medications by transferring them into containers of legitimate manufacturers to deceive unsuspecting consumers.
“These drugs are highly dangerous and can cause death or permanent disability. By confiscating them, we are preventing their reintroduction into the market, reinforcing our commitment to protecting public health.”
He advised the public to buy medications only from licensed and registered drug outlets. He also emphasized that security operatives, NAFDAC’s investigative team, and other stakeholders were actively monitoring the enforcement to ensure its effectiveness.
When asked about the estimated value of the seized products, Iluyomade explained that the operation was still ongoing, and an accurate assessment could only be determined upon its completion.
The counterfeit and falsified products discovered in the market included antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, aphrodisiacs, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal remedies, and psychoactive substances.
Additionally, banned drugs such as analgin, tramadol (above 100 mg), gentamycin (280 mg), codeine, and other controlled substances were found. Other confiscated items included vaccines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, unwholesome food products, as well as empty plastic containers, bags, and cans.
The exercise was witnessed by representatives of various trade unions, market leaders, the market task force, and other key stakeholders.
