The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested over 40 suspects and destroyed banned pharmaceutical and other products valued at N100 billion.
This was revealed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, during the destruction exercise held at the Moniya Dumpsite in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Represented by Mrs. Yedunni Adenuga, Director of Narcotics and Control Services, the NAFDAC boss stated that the banned items were seized from major markets, including Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, and Ezeuku.
The confiscated pharmaceutical products include Analgin and controlled substances such as Tramadol 225mg, among others.
Prof. Adeyeye described the recent discovery of counterfeit and unregistered products at these markets as “mind-boggling,” adding 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.”
She acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for facilitating the operation by approving the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel, including the military, police, and DSS.
“Today, we are witnessing the destruction of expired, falsified, 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,” she said.
Prof. Adeyeye added that the three-week operation led to the arrest of several suspects, with ongoing investigations to ensure those found culpable face appropriate sanctions.
In his remarks, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Pharm. Shaba Mohammed, emphasized that selling drugs in open markets is illegal and punishable under the law.
According to him, “It is a 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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