NDLEA Destroys Seized N16 Billion Fake and Expired Drugs in Ogun
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed fake and expired pharmaceutical products at Sagamu in Ogun State.
The agency puts the value of the drugs destroyed at Oke Diya dumpsite at over N16 billion.
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director of Investigations, Francis Ononiwu who led the operations said the destruction of the drugs was to prevent their re-introduction into the market.
He explained that the drugs were seized from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
The NAFDAC director adds that some of the destroyed drugs were damaged or expired drugs voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, and trade unions.
he NAFDAC boss said that the affected products included sub-standard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food additives, unsafe cosmetics and counterfeits as well as other NAFDAC regulated products.
She further said that some of the products were seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distriburtors.
“Also up for destruction today are damaged and expired products, voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations.
“NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the nation is safegurded.
“As such, it is committed to eliminating expired medical products, ilicit drugs, unwholesome foods, chemicals and other violative products,” she said.
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Adeyeye said that no fewer than 66 arrests had been made from about 50 raids carried out by the agency against hawkers of drugs across the nation since the beginning of the year.
She also said that products, like codeine, cough syrups, tramadol capsules, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, antibiotics and antimalaria drugs, worth N8 million, peddled by hawkers, had also been confiscated by the agency during the same period.
Also. recalled a recent arrest of one Sunday Chibuike, who was charged to court by the agency for producing unregistered alcoholic beverages.
Therefore, appealed to Nigerians to shun drug peddlers on the streets and patronise registered medicine stores.
The NAFDAC boss, who commended the judiciary for its continued support, advocated stiffer sanctions to check the menace because of the dangers it continued to pose to the society.
She urged the National Assembly to speedily pass the Counterfeit Medical Products Bill to strengthen the agency’s fight against counterfeiting in the country.
However, she also appreciated the support and collaboration from the Nigeria Customs Service, Police, NDLEA, DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
She assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would not relent in its effort to rid the country of sub-standard and falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products.
