The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit medicines and unwholesome food products worth over N1.36 billion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The destruction, which took place at the Kuje Dumpsite, was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Speaking at the destruction site on Thursday in Abuja, Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the items destroyed included expired and unwholesome products voluntarily submitted for destruction by NGOs and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), among others.

She noted that the drugs, including psychoactive and controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal snuff, and herbal remedies, were seized from hawkers, while food products such as cookies, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, and other items with labelling only in foreign languages lacking English translations were seized from supermarkets.

Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of the Director General’s office, Festus Ukaduke, observed that other items included cosmetics such as creams, lotions, pomades, and skin-lightening products confiscated from spas and beauty centres, as well as chemicals like fake IZAL, JIK, and medical devices seized during operations in the FCT and surrounding areas, alongside items handed over by compliant companies and organisations.

The Director General noted that in 2024, NAFDAC achieved remarkable progress, making substantial seizures, adding that the agency carried out several destruction exercises across the zones, including investigation and enforcement in Lagos, where products worth N120 billion of falsified, substandard, and unwholesome food products were destroyed.

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She observed that the agency’s relentless pursuit of justice against counterfeiting cartels had resulted in the seizure of over 6,000 bags of re-bagged rice in the FCT alone. These deceitful cartels aim to exploit and harm the unsuspecting Nigerian populace for economic gain. NAFDAC has zero tolerance for such activities and has initiated thorough investigations to ensure that all involved face appropriate sanctions.

She said, “Today, we will be destroying products seized during our operations in the FCT and surrounding areas, alongside items handed over by compliant companies and organisations. The estimated street value of products slated for destruction today is one billion, three hundred and sixty-seven million Naira (N1,367,000,000.00).”

Adeyeye noted that the destruction exercise is a crucial and routine operation that NAFDAC conducts across all zones of the Federation.

She added, “We carry out these exercises at least once in each zone, depending on the volume of seizures made by our agency. The goal is unequivocal: to eliminate substandard, falsified, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products from the supply chain.”

She stated that NAFDAC has significantly ramped up its Post-Marketing Surveillance and Enforcement activities to checkmate the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and foods to national security.

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Adeyeye observed that the agency is proactively engaging political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, as well as journalists and the general public, to galvanize support and commitment in the fight against substandard and falsified products.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), all agencies partnering with us, and the press for your unwavering support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.”

The NAFDAC boss assured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and effective medicines and wholesome food products are available to Nigerian consumers.

She urged consumers of NAFDAC-regulated products to remain vigilant.

She said, “Be aware of the drugs, cosmetics, food, and other regulated products you purchase. Do not hesitate to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.”