The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and fake pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦1 trillion at the Anambra State Waste Management Authority Dump Site in Agu Awka.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, led the destruction of seized items, which included banned drugs like Analgin and Tramadol 225mg. These counterfeit products were confiscated from Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbu-Ogu) and the Ekumi/Tenant Road drug market in Aba.
Adeyeye emphasized that the widespread circulation of fake medicines poses serious health and security risks to Nigeria, linking the presence of unregistered and controlled substances to rising criminal activities.
“We are committed to eliminating substandard medicines in Nigeria. The volumes of narcotics and illicit drugs seized are enough to destabilize a country,” she stated.
The enforcement exercise, which took place from February 10 to March 5, resulted in the removal of over 100 containers of counterfeit drugs from markets in Onitsha and Aba.
NAFDAC’s efforts were applauded by Anambra State Waste Management Authority MD, Mike Ozoemanam, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo. He reaffirmed the state’s support for the agency’s mission to combat fake and harmful drugs, urging continued vigilance in protecting public health.