The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding public health by transferring a substantial quantity of expired pharmaceuticals to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This handover, involving three truckloads of expired medications with a duty paid value of N3.7 billion, underscores the collaborative efforts between the two agencies to combat the illicit trade of counterfeit and substandard drugs in Nigeria. The transfer occurred during a courtesy visit by Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the new NAFDAC Director of Enforcement and Investigation, to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Mohammed Shuaibu, at the Ikeja command.
The handover of the expired pharmaceuticals serves as a tangible manifestation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC. This agreement signifies a critical juncture in the nation’s ongoing battle against the proliferation of fake and counterfeit products, particularly within the pharmaceutical sector. CAC Shuaibu emphasized the strategic importance of inter-agency cooperation in thwarting the importation and distribution of these harmful consignments. He underscored the NCS’s unwavering dedication to upholding the tenets of the MoU and working in concert with NAFDAC to protect the health and well-being of Nigerian citizens.
The seized pharmaceuticals encompassed a wide array of medications, including hyergra, royal tablets 225, CSC codine syrup, really extral, tramadol, amlodipine, milk oil flavour, and firegra. These items were packaged in sacks and cartons, highlighting the scale of the attempted distribution. The sheer volume and diversity of the seized products underscore the potential magnitude of the public health risk they posed. CAC Shuaibu stressed the critical need for stringent regulation of pharmaceutical products to prevent these potentially hazardous medications from reaching consumers.
The NCS, recognizing the inherent dangers associated with expired pharmaceuticals, emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications available to the Nigerian public. CAC Shuaibu reiterated that the handling of expired products demands the utmost seriousness, given the substantial health risks associated with their consumption. He reassured the public that the NCS prioritizes their health and safety, actively working to intercept and remove expired and counterfeit drugs from the market. This proactive approach aims to prevent these dangerous products from entering the supply chain and potentially harming unsuspecting consumers.
This handover of seized pharmaceuticals to NAFDAC is not an isolated incident but rather part of a sustained campaign against the illicit drug trade. CAC Shuaibu indicated that further transfers of seized products are anticipated as ongoing investigations conclude. This commitment to continued action highlights the NCS’s dedication to maintaining a vigilant watch over the pharmaceutical market and protecting the public from potentially harmful medications. The ongoing collaboration between the NCS and NAFDAC represents a crucial partnership in safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerian citizens.
Dr. Martin Iluyomade, representing NAFDAC, commended the NCS for its steadfast commitment to implementing the provisions of the MoU. He lauded the collaborative spirit between the two agencies, characterizing it as a healthy and strategic partnership crucial to effectively combating the influx of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals. Dr. Iluyomade pledged NAFDAC’s renewed commitment to intensifying its efforts in this fight, working alongside the NCS to dismantle the networks involved in the smuggling of these dangerous products. The combined efforts of these two agencies represent a formidable force in protecting the Nigerian public from the dangers posed by counterfeit and expired pharmaceuticals.
