FIC Report (Oyo State) – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), destroyed in Ibadan, Oyo State, the seized fake and substandard drugs and allied products, on Saturday 8th March, 2025.
The fake and substandard products were seized from fake drugs marketers at Idumota Markets, Lagos.
The burning and destruction of the expired, fake, substandard and counterfeit products was carried out at Moniya Dumpsite, along Ibadan/Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway, Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Capital City of Oyo State.
This development, according to NAFDAC, became necessary to prevent reintroduction of those products into the circulation.
Speaking during the burning exercise, the Director General (DG) of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said NAFDAC, as the lead agency and chair of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, was firmly committed to ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks were safe, wholesome, fit and suitable for human consumption.
According to her, NAFDAC has created and firmly established stringent guidelines for licensing, sale, and distribution of drug products as part of it’s commitment in ensuring safe and quality medicine.
Adeyeye, who was represented at the event by NAFDAC Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Pharm. Yedunni Adenuga, said that the experience from the NAFDAC’s recent enforcement activities at the Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, Ezeuku open drug markets was mind boggling.
She said, “The discoveries made of the presence of unregistered products, banned products such as Analgin, Controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg, amongst others, were scary, as they are part of the things making our country unsafe in terms of security.
Praising the collaborative efforts of various agencies of the government in combating the heinous crime, Adenuga noted that “This operation could not have been made possible without the support of the NSA who graciously approved the use of over 1000 security personnel
including the Military, Police and DSS.
“Today, you are witnessing the destruction of expired, falsified, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines removed from Idumota Open Drug outlets.
“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed stands at One Hundred Billion Naira (N100,000,000,000).
“During the three weeks exercise, several suspects were apprehended. Further investigation is being carried out; those found culpable will be sanctioned.
“I want to reiterate NAFDAC’S commitment to ensuring that Maternal and Child Care are upheld, and this was demonstrated during the recent operation, as large amounts of poorly stored vaccines and products were evacuated.
“The general public, community leaders. health practitioners, religious members of the press, I want to appeal for your assistance in the fight against falsified did Take medicines, NAFDAC Cannot do it alone it is a fight for all.
“We seek your cooperation in providing valuable information where such are being to prevent and ultimately eradicate the presence of unregistered and dangerous medicines and other violate products from our society.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Defence Corps (NSCDC) and all stakeholders who have contributed in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products”, Adenuga said.
Signed
Moses Oyelade,
AD(I&PR), FIC, Ibadan.
