The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and unwholesome pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food products valued at an estimated ₦20 billion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The disposal exercise, conducted on Thursday at the Moniya Dump Site along Akinyele Road, served as the South-West Zonal Flag-Off Ceremony for the elimination of unsafe regulated products from circulation.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health through continuous enforcement actions against substandard and falsified medicines, illicit drugs, and other unsafe goods. She was represented by the Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Lagos, Pharm. Florence Ubah.
Professor Adeyeye revealed that the destroyed items were seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors nationwide, while others were voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations, and trade associations.
“These include falsified medicines, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeit and expired processed foods, food additives, and other violative NAFDAC-regulated products,” she explained.
She noted that the destruction exercise was part of the agency’s unwavering effort to ensure that dangerous products are permanently removed from circulation.
“This destruction is a routine exercise consistent with our mandate to ensure that no expired, substandard, or falsified medical products, or any unsafe NAFDAC-regulated items, re-enter the market,” she stated.
The NAFDAC helmswoman commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for recently handing over 25 containers of assorted pharmaceutical products for destruction, stressing that such inter-agency collaboration was crucial to curbing the circulation of counterfeit goods.
She also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among other partners.
Professor Adeyeye urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid patronising unregistered drug outlets, warning of the grave health risks associated with counterfeit medicines. She encouraged community leaders, health professionals, religious institutions, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of unregulated products.
“It is imperative that we all educate our families and communities about the risks of patronising quack medicine dealers and unauthorised drug outlets,” she cautioned. “This fight against counterfeit and unsafe products is a collective responsibility.”
