The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) launched an enforcement operation on Monday at the Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Led by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, the operation targeted the removal of adulterated, substandard, and expired drugs from the market. Speaking to journalists, Iluyomade emphasized that the initiative aligns with NAFDAC’s mandate to eliminate fake and unsafe pharmaceutical products from circulation, ensuring public safety.
The agency, working alongside the market’s task force, seized multiple counterfeit and banned products. The exercise was carried out simultaneously across all South-East states as part of a broader effort to sanitize drug markets.
Iluyomade revealed that intelligence gathering over time uncovered the repackaging and rebagging of counterfeit drugs in the market. The seized items included expired, banned, and falsified medicinal products, many of which were being disguised as legitimate brands to deceive consumers.
“These drugs are highly dangerous and can cause severe health consequences, including death or permanent disability. Confiscating them eliminates the risk of their reintroduction into the market,” Iluyomade stated.
Among the products seized were antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, anti-asthmatics, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal remedies, and psychoactive substances. Additionally, banned drugs such as analgin, high-dose tramadol (above 100 mg), gentamycin (280 mg), codeine, and controlled substances were found alongside counterfeit vaccines, beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, and food products.
While the exact value of the confiscated goods has yet to be determined, Iluyomade noted that the enforcement is ongoing. He urged the public to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and registered drug outlets.
The raid was conducted in collaboration with security agencies, investigative teams, market task forces, and trade union representatives, ensuring smooth enforcement and compliance with regulatory standards.
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