The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Thursday, destroyed seized fake, expired, substandard and falsified drugs and products worth N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This was announced by the Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, during the destruction in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Represented by NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, Adeyeye said NAFDAC, as lead agency and chair of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, is resolutely committed towards ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water and drinks are safe, wholesome and effective for human consumption.
The statement reads, “There is no doubt that drugs are a critical aspect of NAFDAC’s mandate, and the agency has established strict guidelines governing the licensing, sale and distribution of drug products.
“The products we destroyed today (Thursday) include expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, Codeine cough syrup, Tramadol, Oxytocin and various types of vaccines.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed today (Thursday) stands at N15 billion naira only.”
The DG appreciated the Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Service, NDLEA, NSCDC, and Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, among others, for their support.
She, therefore, urged stakeholders to educate their families and wards about the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.
In his remark, SK Tijani, who spoke on behalf of the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said there was synergy between Customs and NAFDAC in the fight against fake, expired, substandard and unwholesome drugs and products across the nation.
He said all stakeholders must play their roles in making sure that the nation is free from criminal activities, such as importing and producing the products and drugs.