The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed substandard, falsified, expired and unwholesome regulated products valued at more than N1.85 billion.

The products destroyed included banned sachet alcohol in volumes below 200ml, narcotics, antibiotics, antihypertensive drugs, antimalarials, herbal snuff, herbal remedies and drugs confiscated from hawkers.

Also destroyed were unwholesome food products such as counterfeit sachet milk, cosmetics including creams, lotions, soaps, pomades and skin-lightening creams seized from shops, as well as fake insecticides and medical devices.

Other items included expired and unwholesome products voluntarily handed over for destruction by compliant companies, non-governmental organisations and the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria (ACPN).

Speaking during the destruction exercise, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the products posed serious threats to public health and the national economy.

She described the proliferation of counterfeit, fake and substandard products as a national security issue, adding that the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to removing dangerous products from circulation.

According to her, NAFDAC has continued to strengthen its enforcement strategies to track, seize and prosecute offenders, while also working with lawmakers to amend the NAFDAC Act to impose stiffer penalties and asset forfeiture on counterfeiters.

Adeyeye said the exercise formed part of the agency’s routine efforts to safeguard public health.

“As an agency, we regularly carry out this kind of exercise to permanently remove falsified medical products, substandard foods and illicit cosmetics from the open market and other facilities to prevent these dangerous products from being recycled or sold to unsuspecting Nigerians,” she said.”

“These products were seized and voluntarily submitted substandard, falsified medicines and expired and unwholesome regulated products. The estimated street value of the products being destroyed today is N1,855,650,000.00.”

She said the destruction exercise underscored NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safe and transparent disposal of fake products and served as a warning to counterfeiters and their syndicates.

Adeyeye called on manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers to support the agency’s efforts by strengthening surveillance and vigilance to ensure only safe and quality products remain in the supply chain.

She added that continuous surveillance, intensified inspections, enforcement raids and collaboration with local and international partners would ensure counterfeit products find no safe haven in Nigerian markets.

The NAFDAC boss also advised consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious products or activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.