The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed expired and counterfeit drugs and other products worth over N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The unsafe products were destroyed at the Rivers State Dump Site, Aluu, in Ikwerre local government area of the state.
The agency’s state coordinators in the South-South geopolitical zone, top officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Rivers State Fire Service as well as the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), among others witnessed the exercise.
Speaking at the occasion, NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said the destruction of the pharmaceutical products was a firm statement of about NAFDAC’s unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the South-South zonal coordinator of the agency, Pharm. Chukwuma Oligbo, said the products were seized from several warehouses in Port Harcourt, Delta and Edo States.
The NAFDAC boss said: “The destruction of these harmful products is not just a routine exercise; it is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of our people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate could cause untold harm including treatment failures , drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives.
“The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits and other expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
“Also, up for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and trade unions, to the agency.
“The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is (N4,700,000,000). The Agency through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt, Rivers State were some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation. After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.”
