The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has today, destroyed expired, unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled drugs and related products worth ₦10,991,458,374.60. Accordingly, the destroyed products were seized items from five states of the Southwest Zone region (excluding Lagos) and Kwara State in the North Central Zone due to its proximity, and were all incinerated in Ibadan for the destruction.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the South West Zonal Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, revealed during the exercise that her agency has assured Nigerians that these product are not diverted for personal use by some interest group but destroyed under strict supervision.
She added that the exercise was conducted at an approved dumpsite provided by the Oyo State government to minimize environmental pollution.
Key stakeholders invited to witness destruction exercise include; the Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, officials from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other related agencies alike.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the DG said, ‘’The destruction exercise taking place today in Ibadan is a key component of the functions of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, charged with the responsibility for investigation of unwholesome, substandard, fake and counterfeit regulated products and to mop them from circulation so as safeguard the health of the citizens.
She added, ‘’The effort of ridding the system of unwholesome and substandard regulated products from circulation is being supported by sister agencies represented here among whom are; the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Police (NP), the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
‘’The items for destruction here today are collected from the five states of the South West Zone (excluding Lagos) of the Agency and Kwara state of the North Central Zone (because of proximity) to the Southwest zone.
‘’These items include expired products that were voluntarily forfeited by those in the drug distribution channel, unregistered and unwholesome products that were raided from different outlets and warehouses, fake and counterfeit as well as unregistered imported products smuggled into the country. The worth of what is being destroyed today is estimated to ₦10, 991, 458, 374.60”.
Meanwhile, she call on well meaning Nigerians to join forces with NAFDAC in fighting the unwholesome practice by some few bad eggs who does not wish well for Nigeria through the smuggling of fake and counterfeit products.
‘’As a matter of fact, every Nigerian is expected to be an ambassador of NAFDAC, joining hands with the Agency in the bid to sanitize the Food and Drug sector in Nigeria” she concluded.
