The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disposed of counterfeit, expired and unsafe pharmaceutical and regulated products valued at over N55 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The destruction exercise took place on Thursday at a designated dumpsite in Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area, as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to prevent fake and substandard products from finding their way back into the market.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known at the event. Her address was delivered by the Deputy Director in the Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Florence Ubah, who explained that the action aligns with the agency’s mandate to safeguard public health.
According to her, the items destroyed included falsified and substandard medicines, expired drugs, unsafe cosmetics, unwholesome food products and additives, as well as other NAFDAC-regulated items seized from manufacturers, importers and distributors across the country.
“It is important to state that, up for destruction today (Thursday) are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by more than 70 compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations and Trade Unions, to the agency,” she said.
She added, “This is commendable. The estimated street value of the products being destroyed is worth N55,436,844,470.”
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Adeyeye expressed appreciation to security and regulatory agencies that collaborated with NAFDAC in the seizures, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
She also called on religious and community leaders, healthcare professionals, journalists and members of the public to intensify awareness campaigns on the risks of purchasing medicines and food items from unauthorised dealers and quacks.
NAFDAC, established in 1993, is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and chemicals in Nigeria, with the aim of protecting public health nationwide.