The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, counterfeit, and substandard drugs worth over one trillion naira in Awka, Anambra State.
According to NAFDAC’s Zonal Director Southeast, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the drugs destroyed includes Analgin, Tramadol, pediatric pharmaceuticals, which had been stored in prohibited areas or were banned by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Iluyomade stated that the closure and raid of these markets, were in response to public complaints regarding the prevalence of fake, substandard, and counterfeit drugs in the Southeast.
“The volume of drugs found in these two markets could destabilise the country, and many of these are narcotic drugs associated with criminal activity.
“People who consume these drugs are not only harming themselves but also using them to commit crimes, which contributes to the growing insecurity in our country’. Iluyomade said
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASMATA), Mr. Mike Ozoemena, emphasised the support shown by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“Governor Soludo has shown tremendous support to NAFDAC’s efforts, particularly from the time the market was closed.
“Soludo visited the market personally to assess the situation and ensure the safety of our people.
“In fighting criminality in Anambra State, particularly due to the role narcotics play in fueling crime. As a government, we will continue to provide NAFDAC with all the assistance they need,” Ozoemena promised.
Angel Network News (ANN) recalls that for one months, NAFDAC shut the Onitsha Drug Market, restricting shop owners from coming to the market, barricading it with military officials, while officials broke into and ransacked shops in search of fake drugs.
