NAFDAC STORMS ANAMBRA MARKET, CONFISCATES FAKE DRUGS
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On Monday, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) began its enforcement operation at the popular Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, in Anambra State.
Led by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the Director of NAFDAC South East Zone, the agency’s operatives seized a variety of adulterated, substandard, and expired drugs from different shops.
Speaking to journalists, Iluyomade explained that the operation was part of the agency’s efforts to eliminate fake, banned, and other illicit NAFDAC-regulated products from circulation in Nigeria, as well as to protect the public from falling victim to such products.
He added that the operation was carried out in partnership with the market task force and was part of a coordinated effort across all South-East states to confiscate fake and banned products.
He said, “Today, we are commencing our enforcement at the Ogbo-Ogu market. What triggered the exercise is that over time, we have been collating data and gathering intelligence on fake and substandard drugs in the market, and we got to the tail end and discovered that people are repackaging and rebagging fake and counterfeit drugs in the market.
“The exercise is aimed at raiding the markets of fake and substandard drugs and those that are made up of spurious, counterfeited and falsified medicinal products, unwholesome processed products and several other unsafe regulated drugs.
“This is taking place simultaneously across the South-East states, and it is aimed at sanitising the drug markets and safeguarding the health of members of the unsuspecting public.
“Among the drugs are expired, banned, substandard, deflective, repackaged and recalled products. We found out that some of the drug dealers are in the habit of imitating some popular drugs and pouring it into containers of the original manufacturer in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“And these drugs are very sensitive that can lead to death or permanent disability of the consumer. The confiscation of the products would eliminate the risk of their reintroduction into the market and a proof of the agency’s resolve to safeguard the health of the people.”
He urged the public to purchase only from licensed and registered drug outlets, adding that security forces, the agency’s investigative team, and other stakeholders were on-site to monitor and ensure the smooth execution of the enforcement.
When asked about the estimated value of the confiscated products, Iluyomade, who was unable to provide a monetary figure, stated that it was an ongoing operation and that the total value would only be determined once it was completed.
The seized products included counterfeit antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic drugs, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, anti-inflammatories, herbal remedies, and psychoactive drugs. Other items confiscated were banned substances such as analgin, tramadol (over 100 mg), gentamycin (280 mg), codeine, controlled substances, vaccines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cosmetics, chemicals, unfit food, and empty plastic bags and cans.
Representatives from various trade unions, market leaders, the market task force, and other key stakeholders were also present during the operation.
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