NAFDAC confiscates 10 million doses of counterfeit malaria medications in Lagos

By Paul Joseph

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated over 10 million doses of fake malaria treatments and cosmetic products valued at approximately N3 billion at the Trade Fair Market in Lagos.

During a press conference in Apapa, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, revealed that the operation was initiated based on credible intelligence received on February 3.

He noted that the confiscated items included counterfeit anti-malaria medications and injections for cerebral malaria, antibiotics, Postinor, and Analgin, an analgesic that has been banned in Nigeria for nearly 15 years, among other products.

Iluyomade stated that eight truckloads of fake drugs and cosmetics were removed from a three-story building that was disguised as a spare parts warehouse.

Four individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure, and investigations are ongoing. He described the operation as one of the agency’s significant successes in recent times.

He mentioned that counterfeiters are increasingly hiding drugs in unconventional locations, making detection more challenging.

Additionally, many of the seized products were designed to closely mimic original brands, making it difficult even for authorized manufacturers to differentiate them from genuine items.

Iluyomade cautioned that the large volume of counterfeit medicines intercepted poses a serious public health risk, emphasizing that these products could have caused widespread harm had they reached the market.

He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment, under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to eliminate fake and unsafe products from the country and safeguard public health.

The task force chairman urged major drug distributors to procure medicines exclusively from NAFDAC-accredited manufacturers and advised the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office across the nation.