NAFDAC Seizes Over 100 Truckloads of Counterfeit Drugs in Major Nigerian Markets
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated over 100 truckloads of counterfeit drugs across major markets in Lagos, Anambra, and Abia states.
The extensive enforcement operation targeted prominent drug markets, including Idumota Market in Lagos, Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, and Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets in Aba. The initiative aimed to dismantle the networks responsible for the proliferation of unregistered, banned, and expired medications that pose severe health risks to the Nigerian populace.
During the operation, NAFDAC officials uncovered alarming quantities of counterfeit and substandard medicines. Notably, in the plumbing section of the Onitsha market, warehouses were filled to capacity with drugs stored under deplorable conditions, lacking proper ventilation and exposing the products to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Such conditions accelerate the degradation of medicines, rendering them ineffective or harmful.
Among the seized items were large quantities of controlled substances, including Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam, which have been linked to rising insecurity in the country.
The agency also discovered TAFRADOL, a drug recently banned in India after an undercover investigation exposed its illicit export to Africa. This drug combination has not been licensed anywhere in the world and is outrightly banned for use in the European Union.
The enforcement teams encountered significant resistance during the raids. In Onitsha, NAFDAC staff and accompanying police officers faced violent opposition from individuals attempting to protect their illicit trade. There were instances where agency personnel narrowly escaped harm, highlighting the dangers inherent in such operations.
In light of these findings, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, has called on the National Assembly to expedite amendments to existing laws to include life sentences and the death penalty for offenders involved in the distribution of counterfeit medicines. She emphasized that the severity of the situation necessitates stringent penalties to deter perpetrators and safeguard public health.
The circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines poses a grave threat to public health. Individuals relying on these medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are at risk of treatment failure, leading to severe health complications or death. Furthermore, the availability of illicit narcotics contributes to societal issues, including increased crime rates and substance abuse disorders.
NAFDAC plans to continue its efforts to sanitize the drug distribution system in Nigeria. The agency is collaborating with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to relocate affected drug markets to designated Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) by next year. This move aims to ensure that drug storage, sales, and distribution meet regulatory standards, thereby protecting consumers from the dangers of counterfeit medicines.
The agency also intends to destroy the seized consignments publicly in each location after the exercise, reinforcing its commitment to eradicating the menace of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
NAFDAC’s recent enforcement operations underscore the critical need for continuous vigilance and stringent regulatory measures to combat the proliferation of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria. The agency’s proactive stance serves as a deterrent to unscrupulous individuals and entities seeking to compromise public health for profit.