The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed fake and unwholesome drugs valued at over N939 million in a major enforcement operation in South East Nigeria.
The exercise took place at the Anambra State Waste Management Dumpsite, where large quantities of seized products were disposed of as part of efforts to safeguard public health and eliminate dangerous items from circulation.
Director General of NAFDAC, Christianah Adeyeye, described the action as a firm step toward removing unsafe, substandard, falsified, and expired products from the market. Represented by a regional director, she emphasized that such items pose serious health risks to Nigerians.
According to her, the destroyed products included expired and counterfeit medicines, unregistered pharmaceuticals, food items, medical equipment, and cosmetics. These were confiscated through routine surveillance, enforcement operations, and intelligence driven interventions across the South East.
Adeyeye warned that substandard and falsified drugs can lead to treatment failure, prolonged illness, drug resistance, disability, and even death. She added that unsafe food products and compromised medical devices further increase the risk of illness and incorrect diagnosis.
She also disclosed that some of the seized items were voluntarily handed over by stakeholders, including members of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers in Anambra and Enugu states, showing growing cooperation in the fight against counterfeit products.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to consumer safety, Adeyeye urged Nigerians to always purchase products from reliable sources and ensure they carry proper NAFDAC registration. She also encouraged the public to report suious products or activities to the agency.
The crackdown highlights NAFDAC’s continued efforts to protect public health and maintain standards in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors.
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