The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Saturday destroyed N100 billion worth of expired, fake, substandard and falsified drugs in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital just as it restated it’s commitment to ensuring safe and quality drugs in Nigeria.
The Director General (DG) of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the destruction became necessary to prevent reintroduction of expired, fake, substandard, and falsified drugs into circulation.
Speaking in Ibadan during the destruction exercise held at Akinyele dump site, the NAFDAC boss said the agency is firmly committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks are safe, wholesome, and effective for human consumption.
According to her, NAFDAC has established stringent guidelines for licensing, sale, and distribution of drug products as part of it’s commitment in ensuring safe and quality medicine.
Adeyeye, who was represented at the event by NAFDAC Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Pharm. Yedunni Adenuga said NAFDAC recent enforcement activities at the Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, Ezeuku open drug markets was mind boggling.
She said, “The discoveries made of the presence of unregistered products, banned products such as Analgin, Controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg amongst others, which are part of the things making our country unsafe in terms of security.
“This operation could not have been made possible without the support of the NSA who graciously approved the use of over 1000 security personnel
including the Military, Police and DSS.
“Today, you are witnessing the destruction of expired, falsifled, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines removed from Idumota Open Drug outlets.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed stands at One
Hundred Billion Naira (N100,000,000,000).
“During the three weeks exercise, several suspects were apprehended. Further investigation is being carried out; those found culpable will be sanctioned.
“I want to reiterate NAFDAC’S commitment to ensuring that Maternal and Child Care are upheld, and this was demonstrated during the recent operation, as large amounts of poorly stored vaccines and products were evacuated.
“The general public, community leaders. health practitionerS, rellgiouse
members of the press, I want to appeal for your assistance in the fight against falsified did Take medicines, NAFDAC Cannot do it alone it is a fight for all.
“We Seek your cooperation in providing valuable information where such are being to prevent and ultimately eradicate the presence of unregistered and dangerous medicines and other violative products from our society.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Nigeria Police Force, Depatment of State Services (DSS), the. Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Defence Corps (NSCDC) and all stakeholders who have contributed in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products.”
