The e National Agency for Food and DrugA Administration and Control on Thursday destroyed fake, counterfeit, substandard, expired and unwholesome regulated products whose estimated street value was worth N985.3 million
The “wastes,” seized from the Northwestern part of the country, were destroyed by fire at the outskirts of Kano metropolitan city.
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The products destroyed included medicines such as antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, analgesics, herbal remedies, psychoactive and controlled substances etc.
Others were the foods, such as vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, sachet water, condiments, tomato pastes etc, were also set ablaze.
Also destroyed were cosmetics such as creams, pomade, ointments etc, and chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, agrochemicals etc, as well as medical devices that included diagnostic kits and infusion giving sets.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said removing Substandard and Falsified Medicines (SFs) from circulation will make Nigerians healthier. “And since only a healthy body can contribute positively to the economy, it will make Nigerians wealthier and the economy better,” she said.
Prof. Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director Northwest Zone, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim, said the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria has been a sore point to drug regulatory Agencies, especially to NAFDAC.
“The handling and disposal of
NAFDAC wastes, like today’s exercise, is in line with our strategy aimed at eradicating fake drugs and other spurious NAFDAC Regulated Products from circulation in Nigeria,” she added.
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NAFDAC Northwest Zonal Director, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim, said “the products destroyed represent a grave threat to our communities.”
“They are not mere substandard goods; they are potential instruments of harm that could devastate families and derail our nation’s progress.
“By destroying these items, we send a clear message: there is no place for counterfeit and unsafe products in Nigeria,” she said.
According to the zonal director, NAFDAC‘s efforts have extended beyond destruction, as the agency is working actively to
strengthen its regulatory framework, enhancing surveillance and collaborating
with local and international partners to stem the tide of dangerous goods
at their source.
Calling on all Nigerians to join the fight, she said: “Be vigilant consumers. Report
suspicious products. Support legitimate businesses. Your actions can save lives.
To those who persist in trafficking fake and unwholesome products, hear this:
We will find you. We will stop you. The full force of the law awaits you.”
Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Kasim Ibrahim, said in its effort to sanitise drugs distribution in Kano, the drug sellers have been moved from the chaotic open market to a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), located in Dangwauro, which has paved the way for NAFDAC to start recording successes in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.
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Kabir Muhammad of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria said “SON stands in solidarity with NAFDAC, sharing a common mission: to uphold the highest standards of quality and safety in all products and services available to Nigerians.”
Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Dr. Murtala Umar, proposed stiffer punishments for offenders to deter others and mitigate the crime.
