The Anambra State capital of Awka saw the destruction of fraudulent and subpar commodities valued over N4.2 billion on Friday by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated during the exercise that it was in line with the agency’s mandate to stop fake and other dubious NAFDAC-regulated products from being sold in Nigeria. They held the training at the Aswama Dumpsite at Umuzocha, near the Anambra State secretariat complex.
Adeyeye added that the exercise that resulted in the product seizure was a combined South-East and South-South zonal exercise carried out periodically, starting in 2020, by Mr. Francis Ononiwu, Director of Investigation and Enforcement and chairman federal task force of the agency. She said
“The estimated street value of the products being destroyed today is worth N4.2bn. The products are made up of spurious, counterfeited, substandard and falsified medicinal products, unwholesome processed food products and several other unsafe regulated products seized from various manufacturers, importers and distributors in the combined team of South-East and South-South zones.
“Among the products are expired, deflective and recalled products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations and market unions in the South-East and South-South zones.”
The NAFDAC executive stated that destroying the items would prevent their reintroduction to the market. It would also demonstrate the agency’s commitment to protecting the public’s health.
Furthermore,
She expressed her gratitude for the cooperation of the numerous security personnel, the agency’s investigating team, and other parties.
Antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, anti-inflammatory, herbal medicines, and psychotropic medications were among the items.
Other prohibited substances included vaccinations, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cosmetics, chemicals, and unwholesome food. In addition, analgesics, tramadol (above 100mg), gentamycin, and restricted narcotics were also among the prohibited items.
Representatives of numerous trade unions, market titans, manufacturers, and other crucial players in the industry were present for the exercise.
Emmanuel Uchenna, the manager of Onitsha’s Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market, expressed gratitude to NAFDAC. He stated, “We appreciate what the agency is doing in sanitizing the health sector.” He also mentioned their efforts to ensure people consume excellent and genuine products.
cc: Punch Ng
