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● Clears 77 Truckloads In Onitsha, Idumota, Aba
● Worries Over Discovery Of USAID Donated Drugs In Markets
●Vaccines Stored In Very Poor Condition
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced on Saturday that it has successfully shut down more than 11,000 drug shops nationwide and confiscated counterfeit drugs valued in the trillions.
In this significant operation, NAFDAC specifically shut down the shops in Aba, Onitsha, and Idumota drug markets even as it has arrested 40 people linked to the sale of unregistered and dangerous drugs.
The exercise underscores the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceuticals.
Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General, disclosed these while conducting journalists around its warehouse in Apapa, Lagos.
Adeyeye said that the agency has also evacuated over 77 truckloads of illicit and counterfeit drugs- 27 from Idumota, Onitsha 30 and over 20 from Aba.
The NAFDAC boss also revealed that a total of 3,027 shops were closed in Idumota, 4,000 shops shut in Onitsha with the operation still only 20 percent complete, and another 4,000 in Osisioma in Aba.
Adeyeye said the agency had evacuated Aba over 20 truckloads, Onitsha with 30, and Idumota with 27 truckloads.
Stating that the discoveries were mind-blowing, she said, “We found vaccines that are not supposed to be stored outside the refrigerator. We found controlled substances and condoms that are supposed to have been destroyed since 2022. We found products donated by USAID. We found Antiretrovirals for free use. We found Tramadol, an analgin that has been banned in Nigeria before my time. We found loads of analgin, not just one box, two boxes like container loads, how did it get into the country or market? We have found machines that they are using to change the dates of drugs that are supposed to have expired in 2022 or 2023. They will change it to 2028 and people will take and keep not getting well.”
She said the evacuated drugs are running into trillions.
The DG explained that the operation, which has already spanned over three weeks, was made possible with support from the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Adeyeye further addressed concerns from traders who claimed the agency was disrupting their businesses. “We are not disturbing trade. We are protecting lives,” she emphasised. “We are trying to safeguard the future of our young people from becoming victims of harmful drugs.”
“We are trying to make sure that patients survive from bad medicine We are trying to make sure that if you have hypertension you will get your hypertension relieved because you are taking good medicine.”
She regretted that NAFDAC’s findings during the operation have been alarming.
“In addition to expired medications, the agency discovered drugs stored in unsanitary conditions, including toilets and poorly ventilated warehouses without windows. Among the seized drugs were Tramadol 225mg, a potent opioid capable of causing severe neurological damage, and Tapfradol, a dangerous combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol, which has been banned in India.
Adeyeye disclosed that many of the drugs seized were smuggled into the country and are not registered in NAFDAC’s database. “We are seeing drugs stored in conditions that make them even more harmful. These include products requiring refrigeration, like vaccines, being kept at room temperature,” she explained.
The agency also uncovered falsified products, including machines used to change expiration dates on drugs. Expired medicines, such as those meant to expire in 2022, were altered to appear valid until 2028.
Bemoaning the shortage of staff, she said the scale of the operation has required the collaboration of over 1,000 security personnel including 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and 250 in Idumota.
NAFDAC worked closely with the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to tackle the crisis.
Adeyeye acknowledged the resource constraints faced by the agency, citing a lack of sufficient staff and funding. “Our staff are doing the work of five people because we don’t have enough personnel.”
She urged the federal government to provide more support to NAFDAC.
Addressing Nigerians, Adeyeye advised caution when purchasing medications. “If you bought medicine from a street corner, throw it away. Only buy from a reputable pharmacy store,” she urged, emphasising the critical role of parents in monitoring their children’s activities to prevent drug abuse.
She also called on the federal government to tighten border security to prevent the smuggling of counterfeit drugs.
“The porous borders are making our job more difficult. We need more manpower at the borders to stop these harmful products from entering the country.
NAFDAC is far from finished with its mission. The agency plans to expand its operations to other states, working closely with sister agencies to ensure compliance with regulations.
“This is just the beginning. We will not stop until the menace of substandard and falsified drugs is eradicated from Nigeria,” Adeyeye vowed.
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