NAFDAC Burns Fake Drugs, Banned Alcohol Worth N1.8bn in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has destroyed counterfeit medicines, banned sachet alcohol and other unsafe products worth over N1.8 billion at the Kuje dumpsite in Abuja.

The agency said the exercise was part of efforts to prevent fake, expired and substandard products seized across the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring areas from returning to circulation.

According to NAFDAC, the destroyed items included fake drugs, expired pharmaceuticals, falsified products, fake chemicals, banned alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, as well as other unwholesome regulated products.

The agency disclosed that some of the items were confiscated during enforcement operations, while others were voluntarily handed over by companies, non-governmental organisations and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria.

Speaking during the destruction exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, warned that counterfeit drug networks are now using sophisticated cloning techniques to imitate genuine products.

He explained that the increasing sophistication of fake drug manufacturers has made it more difficult for consumers to differentiate between authentic and counterfeit products.

Iluyomade further revealed that the agency recently intercepted several containers carrying suspicious products that were falsely declared in attempts to evade detection at the ports.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies and increased public awareness to effectively combat the circulation of fake and unsafe products.

NAFDAC said the destruction exercise demonstrates the agency’s determination to ensure seized counterfeit and substandard products do not find their way back into the market.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, warning that offenders found selling or possessing such products risk prosecution.

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to avoid purchasing suspiciously cheap medicines and regulated products, warning that such items could pose serious health risks.

The agency also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious products and illegal activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its call centre for investigation and necessary action.