NAFDAC destroys over ₦10bn worth of fake drugs, products in Kano
Kola Oyelere Kano
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed no fewer than 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard and expired regulated products valued at ₦10.19 billion in Kano State.
The destruction exercise, carried out at the North-West zonal level, took place at the Kalibawa Destruction Site along the Daura–Danbata Road. Items destroyed included illicit medicines, food products, cosmetics, agrochemicals and medical devices.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the exercise was part of sustained efforts to safeguard public health and curb the circulation of dangerous and unwholesome products.
She was represented by the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Mr. Dadi Nantim Mullah.
Adeyeye described the destruction as a landmark achievement in pharmaceutical regulation, noting that it sent a strong message that the era of impunity for producers and distributors of fake and substandard products was coming to an end.
According to her, the destroyed items included counterfeit antibiotics, antimalarial and antihypertensive medicines; adulterated food products such as vegetable oil and sachet water; hazardous cosmetics; fake agrochemicals; and compromised medical devices.
She warned manufacturers, importers and distributors involved in such illegal activities that NAFDAC had strengthened its surveillance and enforcement mechanisms, adding that offenders would face severe legal sanctions.
Adeyeye also highlighted Nigeria’s attainment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status and its admission into the International Council for Harmonisation, describing them as milestones that had boosted confidence in the country’s regulatory system. She added that the agency was working towards achieving WHO Maturity Level 4.
In his remarks, Mullah said the prevalence of unregistered, fake and counterfeit regulated products had dropped from about 46 per cent to less than six per cent. He explained that the large volume of items destroyed resulted from increased enforcement and improved operational effectiveness, not increased circulation of fake products.
He said the seizures were made through direct enforcement operations, voluntary submissions by organisations and distributors, and collaborations with security agencies.
Mullah commended the Kano State Government, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, professional bodies and trade associations for their support.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed vendors and report suspicious products through the agency’s official channels.