The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday paraded two persons for allegedly faking some of its regulated products.
Its Acting Director-General, Mrs Yetunde Oni, said the suspects were apprehended for substandard medicines, unwholesome foods, corrosive cosmetics and other spurious NAFDAC regulated products.
She said the Southeast Area Sales Manager of Archy Pharmaceutical Limited, Mrs. Chika Nwaemeka Nwoye, a shop owner, Mr Ojeani Nelson Ebuka and Mr Udoka Offor were arrested for selling fake drugs.
Mrs. Nwoye and Ebuka were involved in faking, selling and distributing fake Archilin with Codeine Cough Syrup.
She said: “Mrs Nwoye was arrested at her residence in Delta State at 6am on June 29. The suspect led the team to the shop of Ebuka (popularly known as Ebu-Young) who was reported to be her partner in this trade. He initially evaded arrest when he learnt that operatives were in his shop but later turned himself in after his shop, warehouse and residential apartment were placed on ‘hold’.
“Several cartons of the fake product were found at the premises of Ebuka. The suspects who were obviously taking advantage of the market opportunities provided by the original products have been arraigned in court.”
According to her, the agency intercepted several cartons of fake pharmaceutical products and packaging materials in a 1 x 40 foot consignment declared as agricultural parts at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Lagos”.
The consignment, she said, was imported with the name Amara Duben Global Ventures, adding: “The fake products included: 15 cartons of Laclox capsules, 19 cartons of Augmentin 625mg tablets, eight cartons of secondary paper packs for Augmentin and 12 cartons of aluminium foil for Augmentin 625mg. The products were neatly concealed behind vehicle spare parts; the products have been evacuated and investigation is ongoing to apprehend the cartel.
“Offor, of 24, Vital Akekwu Street, Nneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, is being investigated for illegal production, distribution and sale of suspected counterfeiting of COF ‘N’COLD with Codeine syrup. The suspect was arrested in possession of COF ‘N’COLD Codeine syrup, 28 cartons x 50 bottles x 100ml. During interrogation, he admitted to have been producing the Cough Syrup in a room apartment at Asaba, Delta State and markets the product at E/254, Linkap Line, Head Bridge Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
“Udoka further confessed that he buys the original product from the market, reduces the fill volume and mixes this reduced fill volume of the original cough syrup with borehole water to produce the exact volume per bottle, thereby making more quantity of the syrup and selling to the unsuspecting public. Investigation is ongoing.”