The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) orchestrated a significant operation in the South-South zone of Nigeria, culminating in the destruction of a substantial quantity of counterfeit and substandard products. This decisive action, overseen by NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, underscores the agency’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and combating the pervasive threat posed by unregulated and harmful goods in the Nigerian market. The destroyed items, encompassing fake and expired drugs, unwholesome processed foods, and substandard products, were estimated to have a street value of N4.7 billion, highlighting the magnitude of the potential risk averted through NAFDAC’s intervention. The destruction took place at a designated dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, serving as a potent symbol of the agency’s resolve to protect consumers from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard products.
Professor Adeyeye, represented at the event by the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, Chukwuma Oligbu, emphasized that the destruction exercise was not merely a routine procedure but a powerful statement of NAFDAC’s dedication to its core mandate. She articulated the agency’s determination to eliminate the circulation of harmful products that pose significant health risks to the population. The confiscated items included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed foods and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeit goods, and other expired NAFDAC-regulated products. The sources of these seized items ranged from manufacturers and importers to distributors, reflecting the widespread nature of the challenge and the agency’s comprehensive approach to tackling it.
Beyond the products seized through NAFDAC’s enforcement operations, the destruction also encompassed expired and damaged products voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Association of Community Pharmacists, and trade unions. This collaborative aspect of the exercise demonstrates the growing awareness and responsibility within the private sector and civil society regarding the importance of product safety and compliance with regulations. It also highlights the effectiveness of NAFDAC’s engagement with stakeholders in fostering a culture of self-regulation and responsible product management.
NAFDAC’s intelligence-gathering efforts played a crucial role in uncovering several warehouses in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where alcoholic beverages were being illicitly re-validated and re-introduced into the market. Following a meticulously planned surveillance operation, these warehouses were raided, and the illicit products were confiscated, preventing their return to circulation and protecting consumers from potentially harmful adulterated beverages. This successful operation underscores NAFDAC’s proactive approach to identifying and disrupting illegal activities within the regulated product supply chain.
Furthermore, NAFDAC’s vigilance extended to the cosmetics sector, with the agency raiding a warehouse containing unregistered cosmetic products worth millions of Naira. This seizure further demonstrates NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all regulated products in the market, not just pharmaceuticals and food items. In Delta State, NAFDAC seized unregistered imported vegetable oil lacking Vitamin A fortification, a vital nutrient for public health, and assorted unregistered cosmetic products. The agency’s comprehensive enforcement activities across multiple product categories demonstrate its commitment to maintaining a safe and regulated market for consumers.
Inter-agency cooperation played a significant role in the success of these operations. The Nigeria Customs Service in Edo State handed over two 40-foot containers filled with various classes of unregistered and substandard drugs, which were included among the destroyed items. This collaboration underscores the importance of inter-agency coordination in combating the influx of illicit and potentially harmful products into the country. The acting Sole Administrator of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Prince Obi Ohia, commended NAFDAC’s efforts, recognizing the impact of these operations in mitigating health risks and improving the well-being of citizens. His endorsement highlights the broader societal benefits of NAFDAC’s work in safeguarding public health and promoting consumer safety.
