The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested more than 40 suspects and destroyed banned pharmaceutical products and other items valued at N100 billion.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known during the destruction exercise held at the Moniya dumpsite in Akinyele Local Government Area.
Represented by Mrs Yedunni Adenuga, Director, Narcotics and Control Services, Adeyeye stated that the seized items were confiscated from major markets, including Idumota, Onitsha, Ariaria, and Ezeuku.
Among the banned pharmaceutical products destroyed were Analgin, controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg, amongst others.
Prof. Adeyeye, who described the recent discovery of counterfeit and other products at three major markets in the Country as mind boggling, added that “the discoveries made of the presence of unregistered products, banned products such as Analgin, Controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg amongst others, which are part of the things making our Country unsafe in terms of security.
“This operation could not have been made possible without the support of the National Security Advisor, (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu who graciously approved the use of over 1,000 security personnel including the Military, Police and DSS.”
“Today, we are witnessing the destruction of expired, falafied, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines removed from Idumota Open Drugs outlets. The estimated street value of these products being destroyed stands at one hundred billion naira.
“During the three weeks exercise, several suspects were apprehended. Further investigation is being carried out those found culpable will be sanctioned.
Earlier in his address, the Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shaba Mohammed revealed that selling of drugs in open market was illegal and punishable act under the law.
According to him, “It is punishable offence to sell the drugs in an open market. Also, it is illegal for people to hawk drugs inside the vehicle, kiosk and open market.
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