The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that it operatives on 10th January 2019 intercepted a 40feet trailer at Oshodi en route Mushin in Lagos which was transporting suspected pharmaceutical products to an unknown destination.
In a statement released on 11th, January 2019 by the agency's head office in Abuja, it disclosed that the interception was possible as a result of a tip-off from a concerned citizen.
After a joint examination by operatives of NAFDAC, Customs and the Police, products such as Barcadin with Codeine (cough syrup) – 588cartons x 200bottles x100ml; Feed Fine (Cyproheptadine caplet) – 44cartons x 24rolls x 10packs x 3blisters x10caplets; Really Extra (Diclofenac sodium tab) – 190cartons x 100boxes x 10packets x 1x10caplets and Afrodic (Diclofenac sodium cap) – 207cartons x 100boxes x 10packs x 1x10caplets were reportedly impounded.
One Mr. Luke Mba ‘M’ of No 9 Ehi street, Ijesa, Lagos who accompanied the trailer and claimed to be the importer was arrested alongside the driver.
The initial investigation, according to NAFDAC, suggests that the unregistered products were manufactured and or imported from India into Nigeria through the Seme land border and was allegedly being transported to Onitsha in Anambra state.
The Agency said it has resolved to prosecute the suspect as soon as the police hand him over to them.
Recalled that the Federal Government announced a ban on the production and importation of cough syrups containing codeine after an investigation into its addiction became epidemic.
Speaking further, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC’s appealed to members of the public as part of their civic responsibility to “report any incidence of counterfeiting and adulteration of foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemical and packaged water to NAFDAC for prompt regulatory and legal action.”
