NAFDAC destroys unwholesome, expired, fake, substandard products worth over N55bn in Ibadan

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Lagos State, on Thursday began the destruction of unwholesome, banned, expired, fake and substandard products worth N55,436,844,470 in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise took place at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, said the products destroyed included damaged and expired items.

She added that the items were voluntarily handed over to the agency by no fewer than seventy compliant companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions.

Adeyeye was represented by Mrs Florence Uba, the agency’s Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Apapa, Lagos.

According to her, the estimated street value of the products destroyed is N55,436,844,470 (Fifty-five billion, four hundred thirty-six million, eight hundred forty-four thousand, four hundred seventy naira only).

She said the exercise aimed to prevent dangerous products from re-entering the market and causing public harm.

“The products destroyed included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, and other expired items,” she added.

She stated that the agency seized the products from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

“NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the nation, and as such, it is committed to achieving its mandate,” she said.

Adeyeye urged community leaders, health professionals, religious figures, and journalists to educate the public on the dangers of patronising unlicensed drug sellers and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.

NAFDAC also called for public participation in the fight against substandard products and urged Nigerians to report suspicious drug activities to help protect lives and strengthen the nation’s regulatory system.

She expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Police, the Army, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for supporting NAFDAC’s mission.

“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she said. (NAN)