The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had raided the popular drug market at Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State, confiscating large quantities of suspected substandard, adulterated, and expired drugs worth millions of naira.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the operation, led by the Director of NAFDAC South East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, took the traders by surprise as the team moved from shop to shop, removing a wide range of drugs.
Products found to be fake or counterfeit included antibiotics, antihypertensive drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, anti-asthmatic medications, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal remedies, and psychoactive drugs.
There were also banned drugs such as analgin, tramadol (above 100 mg), gentamycin (280 mg), codeine, controlled substances, vaccines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, unwholesome food, empty plastics, bags, cans, and other items.
Iluyomade stated that the exercise was in line with the agency’s mandate to eradicate fake, banned, and other spurious NAFDAC-regulated products from circulating in Nigeria, thereby preventing unsuspecting members of the public from falling victim.
The director stated that the agency was collaborating with the market task force, noting that the operation was being conducted simultaneously across all five South-East states.
“What triggered the exercise is that, over time, we have been collecting data and gathering intelligence on fake and substandard drugs in the markets. We discovered that people are repackaging and re-bagging fake and counterfeit drugs in the market.
“The exercise is aimed at ridding the markets of fake and substandard drugs, as well as spurious, counterfeit, and falsified medicinal products, unwholesome processed products, and several other unsafe regulated drugs.
“This is taking place simultaneously across the South-East states and is aimed at sanitizing the drug markets and safeguarding the health of unsuspecting members of the public.
“Among the confiscated drugs are expired, banned, substandard, defective, repackaged, and recalled products. We found that some drug dealers are imitating popular drugs and pouring them into containers of the original manufacturer in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“These drugs are very dangerous and can lead to death or permanent disability for the consumer. The confiscation of these products will eliminate the risk of their reintroduction into the market and demonstrate the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health.”he added.
He further advised the public to patronize only licensed and registered drug outlets, adding that security operatives, the agency’s investigative team, and other stakeholders were on the ground to monitor and ensure the smooth enforcement of the operation.
