NAFDAC Destroys Counterfeit, Expired Products Worth ₦1.8bn

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, substandard, falsified, expired and unwholesome regulated products valued at over ₦1.8 billion at the Kuje dumpsite in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The destruction exercise involved the incineration of counterfeit medicines, banned sachet alcohol, expired pharmaceuticals, fake chemicals and other unsafe products seized across Abuja and surrounding areas.

Also destroyed were products voluntarily handed over by companies, non-governmental organisations, and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).

Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, warned that counterfeit drug syndicates have adopted sophisticated cloning techniques to imitate genuine products.

According to her, the development has made it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify fake and unsafe products in the market.

She further disclosed that the Agency recently intercepted several containers of suspicious products falsely declared to evade detection at the nation’s ports, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies and increased public vigilance.

NAFDAC stated that the destruction exercise was part of efforts to ensure that confiscated products do not find their way back into circulation.

The Agency also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles with a capacity of less than 200ml, warning that traders found in possession of such products would face enforcement actions and possible prosecution.

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to avoid patronising suspiciously cheap medicines and other regulated products, while encouraging members of the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the Agency’s Call Centre.