The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, adulterated, and unregistered products valued at N1.367 billion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The destruction exercise, held at the Kuje dumpsite on Thursday, targeted substandard foods, drugs, cosmetics, and other regulated items.
In a statement, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Festus Ukadike, emphasized the agency’s commitment to eliminating counterfeit products from the supply chain. She said, “We carry out these exercises at least once a year in each zone, depending on the volume of seizures. This operation underscores our relentless pursuit of public health and safety.”
Among the destroyed items were controlled substances, antibiotics, antimalarials, herbal remedies, psychoactive drugs, and expired pharmaceuticals seized from hawkers. Food items such as cookies, vegetable oil, and beverages with foreign labels lacking English translations were also included. Additionally, cosmetics like skin-lightening creams, pomades, and unwholesome products submitted by NGOs and compliant organizations were destroyed.
Prof. Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC’s intensified post-marketing surveillance in 2024 led to significant seizures across the nation, including products worth N120 billion in Lagos and over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT. She highlighted that health trafficking cartels exploiting Nigerians for profit would face justice.
The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, commended NAFDAC’s efforts and warned manufacturers against flouting regulatory guidelines. He said, “Non-compliance will not be tolerated under the renewed hope agenda. SON and NAFDAC are available to guide on standards.”
The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), FCT Chapter, Salamatu Orakwelu, pledged the society’s continued support in ensuring compliance.
NAFDAC also called on political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, alongside journalists and the public, to join the fight against counterfeit products, stressing the threats they pose to national security and public health.
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