NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth of Expired Drugs in South-South

By Bayero Ade

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired, and substandard drugs valued at N4.7 billion in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to Promptnews, During the destruction exercise on Friday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-South Zonal Director, Chukwuma Oligbu, emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health.

The confiscated items, sourced from Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states, included counterfeit medicines, unsafe cosmetics, expired medical products, and unwholesome food items. Some of these were seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors, while others were voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, NGOs, and trade associations.

Prof. Adeyeye warned that allowing such substandard products into circulation could lead to treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even fatalities.

Crackdown on Illegal Warehouses

She further disclosed that in July 2024, intelligence gathering led NAFDAC to several Port Harcourt-based warehouses where expired alcoholic beverages were being illegally repackaged and resold. The agency swiftly raided these locations and seized the illicit goods. Additionally, a warehouse in Delta State containing unregistered cosmetics and unfortified vegetable oil was shut down.

As part of the operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered and substandard drugs, which were also destroyed.

Collaboration with Security Agencies

Prof. Adeyeye commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service (SSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their unwavering support in combating the circulation of counterfeit drugs and harmful products.

She urged health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and the general public to report suspicious activities and cooperate with NAFDAC in its efforts to eliminate fake and substandard products from the market.

Dignitaries at the Destruction Exercise

The event was attended by representatives from NDLEA, NCS, NSCDC, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), the State Fire Service, and the Association of Community Pharmacists.

NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only safe and quality products reach consumers.