NAFDAC destroys fake, expired drugs worth over ₦15bn in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and unwholesome drugs valued at over ₦15 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The destruction exercise, held on Wednesday, was aimed at preventing hazardous products from re-entering the market and endangering public health.

NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, said the destroyed items included counterfeit, banned, unregistered, controlled, and expired medicines. Among them were Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-based cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and several expired vaccines.

Adeyeye revealed that a recent seizure involved a container falsely labeled as diclofenac but found to contain over 100,000 smuggled anti-malarial tablets packed in 277 cartons. The suspect linked to the shipment has been arrested and will face prosecution.

She also disclosed that during a separate raid at a military barracks in Lagos, NAFDAC seized illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials. Other confiscated products were recovered from nationwide operations targeting black-market drug sellers, counterfeiters, and unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets.

Adeyeye urged Nigerians to avoid patronizing unlicensed drug vendors and called on community leaders, healthcare workers, religious figures, and journalists to help educate the public on the dangers of fake medicines. She also appealed to citizens to report suspicious activities to strengthen regulatory oversight.

The exercise included more than 25 seized 40-foot containers handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service, containing prohibited items such as Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry.

“These products form part of today’s destruction, marking another victory in our fight against harmful and illegal substances,” Adeyeye said, commending the support of security agencies and professional bodies in the regulatory mission.