The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical and food products valued at 4.7 billion in the South-South region.
The destruction exercise took place on Friday at the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) site, near Port Harcourt International Airport.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the South-South Zonal Coordinator, Chukwuma Oligbu, emphasized that the agency remains committed to safeguarding Nigerians from the dangers of fake and falsified products.
“The destruction of these harmful products is not just routine; it is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve to protect our people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices, and other hazardous regulated products”, she stated.
She warned that if these fake drugs and food items had been allowed into circulation, they could have led to treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even fatalities.
The destroyed items included:
Substandard and falsified medical products
Unwholesome processed food and additives
Unsafe cosmetics and counterfeit goods
Expired and unregistered products seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors
NAFDAC also disposed of damaged and expired products voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, NGOs, the Association of Community Pharmacists, and trade unions.
The agency revealed that intelligence-led operations in July 2024 uncovered warehouses in Port Harcourt where expired alcoholic beverages were being revalidated and reintroduced into the market. These warehouses were raided, leading to the seizure of millions of naira worth of illicit goods.
Additionally, unregistered imported vegetable oil lacking vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetic products were confiscated in Delta State. In Edo State, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over two 40-foot containers of unregistered and substandard drugs to NAFDAC.
NAFDAC urged the public to report suspicious activities and collaborate in the fight against counterfeit goods. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only safe, high-quality medicines and food products are available to Nigerians.
Prof. Adeyeye commended the NCS, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), RIWAMA, and the media for their continuous support.
The Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Prince Ohia, lauded NAFDAC for its relentless fight against fake and substandard products. He urged other agencies to join hands in combating the menace.
The event was attended by representatives from the NCS, NDLEA, NSCDC, NAFDAC South-South state coordinators, and the Rivers State Fire Service.
