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  • NAFDAC destroys ₦1.3b counterfeit drugs, food products

    NAFDAC destroys ₦1.3b counterfeit drugs, food products

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vowed to continue its crackdown on defiant individuals and entities involved in the sale and production of unwholesome drugs and food products, ensuring the protection and sanitation of public health.

    The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Thursday in Abuja reaffirmed the agency’s commitment during the destruction of substandard, falsified, and expired products worth ₦1.367 billion seized from non-compliant manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers, including items voluntarily surrendered by some industry stakeholders.

    She said the destruction exercise was a part of the NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring public health safety and eliminating dangerous products from Nigeria’s supply chain. 

    The items, seized from various locations within the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas, included drugs, food products, cosmetics, and chemicals deemed unfit for human consumption.

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    Saying that the destruction exercise is a crucial and routine operation conducted across all zones of the federation to rid the market of harmful goods, the DG explained that the agency conducts the exercises at least once in each zone annually, depending on the volume of seizures made.

    Highlighting the scale of the problem, Adeyey, who was represented by a Director in the DG Office, Festus Ukadike, revealed that NAFDAC had destroyed products worth over ₦120 billion in 2024 alone, including falsified, substandard, and unwholesome items seized during various enforcement operations. 

    She noted that the agency’s intensified efforts in the fight against counterfeiting cartels had led to significant successes, adding that over 6,000 bags of re-bagged rice were confiscated in the FCT from criminal networks aiming to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians for economic gain.

    She condemned such activities, stressing that NAFDAC has zero tolerance for counterfeit products and has launched investigations to ensure those involved face the full force of the law. 

    Products destroyed during the exercise included psychoactive substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal remedies, and drugs seized from hawkers.

    Food products such as cookies, vegetable oil, and non-alcoholic beverages with inadequate labeling were also among the items destroyed.

    Cosmetics, including skin-lightening creams and lotions confiscated from spas and beauty centers, as well as fake cleaning agents like IZAL and JIK, were part of the haul.

    Additionally, expired products voluntarily submitted by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) were destroyed. 

    Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s strengthened post-marketing surveillance and enforcement activities, aimed at mitigating the risks posed by counterfeit medicines and food to national security.

    She emphasized NAFDAC’s proactive engagement with political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, alongside the media and the general public, in combating substandard and falsified products. 

    Expressing gratitude to security agencies and the press for their support, the Director-General reassured Nigerians of NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the availability of only safe, high-quality, and effective products in the market.

    She urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or products to the nearest NAFDAC office, reaffirming the agency’s dedication to protecting the health of the nation.

    In her remarks, the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Salamatu Orakwelu, commended NAFDAC’s efforts to eradicate unwholesome pharmaceuticals from Nigeria’s health sector.

    She noted that the initiative aligns with PSN’s core mandate, emphasizing the critical role of safe and quality drugs in safeguarding public health.

    She highlighted that, in line with this commitment, the PSN has contributed to the efforts by delivering confiscated drugs from non-compliant community practitioners for proper destruction.

    The DG of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Okeke, urged non-compliant importers and manufacturers to reconsider their practices and adhere to proper standards, emphasizing the detrimental impact of their actions on individuals and the nation’s economy and image. 

    Represented by the FCT Coordinator of SON, Gamagira Mohammed, the DG assured that neither NAFDAC nor SON would relent in clamping down on perpetrators of unwholesome product sales and manufacturing, adding that confiscated goods would continue to be destroyed to serve as a lesson and deterrent to others.

  • JUST IN: NAFDAC seals Abuja Chinese supermarket 

    JUST IN: NAFDAC seals Abuja Chinese supermarket 

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a Chinese supermarket in Wuse 2, Abuja, over allegations of selling expired products and goods labeled in Chinese without English translations, violating NAFDAC regulations.  

    The supermarket, located at Azba Mall, 2 Durban Street, is owned and managed by Chinese nationals who claimed they were in the process of obtaining NAFDAC licensing and translating product labels into English as required by law.  

    Following the enforcement operation, Shaba Mohammed, leader of NAFDAC’s enforcement team, revealed that the agency acted on credible intelligence about regulatory violations at the supermarket, “We conducted due diligence to verify the claims,” he said.  

    He confirmed that investigations would continue to determine how such products entered the country in commercial quantities, bypassing labeling requirements and without being intercepted at the point of entry.

    He added that NAFDAC would also inspect the warehouse storing the supermarket’s goods, noting that 90 percent of the items on display were labeled exclusively in Chinese.  

    Emphasizing that the agency’s action was aimed at preventing the sale of such items to the public, ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers, Mohammed said, “Selling items labeled in foreign languages in Nigeria is actually a violation of our law. 

    “If you must sell anything labeled in either Arabic, Chinese, or Indian language, then you must have the English translation of it. 

    “What we found there, more than 90 percent of them are actually in Chinese Language, and you also find some Nigerians patronizing the supermarket. 

    “So, how are they able to read what they have bought? Not only that, when you look at the date markings, some of the items have expired and they are still on the shelves. 

    Read Also: NAFDAC warns about fake cancer drug in circulation

    “Even if NAFDAC gave them Global Listing to import the items, the labeling ought to have been in the English Language. 

    “So, they can’t present to us any document from NAFDAC for which the items are in foreign language. That is not acceptable. So, that is why we have to seal off the supermarket.

    “We have to invite them, do thorough investigation before we conclude on the case. You can’t be here and then you just bring in anything. No, it doesn’t happen.

    “You can’t have a country in a country.”

  • NAFDAC warns about fake cancer drug in circulation

    NAFDAC warns about fake cancer drug in circulation

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent alert to healthcare providers and the general public about a suspected counterfeit cancer drug, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml injection, bearing the batch number C5290S20.

    This warning follows a report from a doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) who raised concerns about the drug after it was brought in by a patient.

    Upon investigation, it was found that this batch closely resembled another previously flagged counterfeit batch, C3809C51.

    According to NAFDAC, the drug’s manufacturer, Roche, reviewed images of the suspected product and confirmed it as fake.

    Several inconsistencies were detected, including a batch number that does not exist, incorrect language on the packaging, missing tamper-evidence features and labels that did not match those on genuine products.

    NAFDAC emphasised that counterfeit medicines pose serious risks to public health because they are unsafe and ineffective.

    The statement reads: “The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to inform healthcare providers and the public of a report of a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml, labelled with batch C5290S20.

    “The Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) Roche received a complaint from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) reporting a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg, labelled with batch C5290S20.

    Read Also: NAFDAC to intensify fight against unsafe food, drugs in 2025 – DG

    “The product was reported to have been brought in by a patient for administration. It had not been administered at the time of the report, as it matched the previously reported counterfeit batch C3809C51.

    “Although no sample was returned to Roche for investigation, only pictures displaying parts of a Phesgo® 600mg/600mg in a 10ml folding box and a labelled vial.

    “Images of the suspected product were examined by Roche and compared to the genuine samples retained for reference.

    “The investigation identified the following significant differences between the complaint sample pictures and the genuine materials which confirmed the falsified status of the suspected counterfeit batch of Phesgo® 600mg/600mg.”

    The agency urged importers, distributors, healthcare workers and consumers to remain vigilant and ensure that medicines are obtained only from authorised sources.

    It also called on stakeholders to carefully check the authenticity and condition of all medical products before use.

    NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to launch surveillance operations to remove the counterfeit drug from circulation.

    Healthcare providers and the public are encouraged to report suspected counterfeit medicines or side effects from medical products through the following channels: visit the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng, use the Med-Safety app, available for download on Android and iOS or submit reports through the NAFDAC website at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

  • Recalled antibiotics

    Recalled antibiotics

    •A positive response to fakery

    This year “will be tough for the people that prioritise money over the wellbeing of their fellow human beings by compromising the quality of medicines and food products in the country,” the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said in a New Year message to Nigerians.

    The agency’s recall of fake antibiotics and investigation of the marketer and manufacturer made the headlines recently when the NAFDAC boss told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja that the case would be communicated to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) as the drug might have gone beyond the Nigerian borders. This would alert international stakeholders to the risks posed by the fake medication, she added.

    The recall of the antibiotics, Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsules, batch number 4C639001, suspected to be substandard, followed reports of serious adverse reactions linked to their use.  Allegedly produced by Ecomed Pharma Ltd and marketed by Divine Kings Pharmaceutical Ltd, the medicine has a manufacturing date of March 2024 and an expiry date of February 2027.

    Adeyeye said the agency’s investigation and recall of the drug was prompted by a complaint from a hospital that had documented three cases of severe adverse reactions associated with the batch. According to her, the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), capsule, Divine King Pharmaceutical Ltd, had stated that the medication was manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd.

    She said: “The manufacturer Ecomed Pharma Ltd in his statement claimed to have produced only twenty packets (20) of the affected batch number 4C639001 for the purposes of renewal of his registration.

    “He also claimed to have manufactured One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One (1,961) packets, Batch No 4C639002.

    “However, Seven Hundred and Ninety (790) packs of Batch 4C639001 with manufacturing 03/2024 and Expiry Date 02/2027 were recalled, which he did not manufacture.”

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    So, who manufactured the suspected fake antibiotics and how did they enter the market? She said “The analysis is currently pending determination while the investigation is ongoing,” adding that the Quality Control and Production Managers had been invited for questioning. Also, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, which issues site licences, and the pharmacist in charge, have been notified. The agency should get to the bottom of the matter quickly.

     Adeyeye warned the public to avoid the suspected batch of Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsules. In particular, this warning should guide people who engage in self-medication.

    It is reassuring that she declared that NAFDAC has Prevent, Detect and Respond mechanisms, including WHO-certified methods to prevent fake, falsified and substandard medicines from flooding the market. However, the agency must intensify its efforts to prevent the circulation of such medicines.

    Obviously, such medicines pose a serious danger to public health, and should not be allowed to be in circulation in the country.  Furthermore, those who are involved in manufacturing and marketing  them should not only be tracked and arrested but also prosecuted and punished for a deterrent effect.  

    It is very concerning that there are people who unscrupulously make such medicines, and those who perhaps knowingly market them, reflecting low ethical standards and the desire for money. 

    Notably, Adeyeye highlighted the agency’s recent enforcement actions across the country in her New Year message to Nigerians. Among them, she said, the agency, on December 11, 2024 “destroyed expired, unregistered drugs worth N11 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.” Also, in November 2024, the agency “seized N300m worth of fake medicines during a raid of Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.”

    According to her, the agency destroyed “over N120b” worth of seized products in six months, July to December 2024, in the country’s six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. These included fake drugs and unwholesome foods.

    Ultimately, the situation demands greater vigilance on the part of the agency. The recall of the antibiotics is a positive action. The agency should ensure that available medications are safe and effective. 

  • NAFDAC’s burden

    NAFDAC’s burden

    Notably, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave an insight into the troubling scale of production and sale of fake drugs and unwholesome foods in Nigeria when she highlighted the agency’s recent enforcement actions across the country in her New Year message to Nigerians.

    She said the agency, on December 11, 2024 “destroyed expired, unregistered drugs worth N11 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.” Also, in November 2024, the agency “seized N300m worth of fake medicines during a raid of Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State,” and “bust counterfeit alcohol packaging centres and seized items worth N2 billion in Lagos.”  She added that the agency had received reports of “illegal revalidation of expired alcoholic beverages at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.”

    Details of the agency’s enforcement actions in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja demonstrated the widespread activities of makers and sellers of fake medicines and unwholesome foods in the country. In Nasarawa State, on December 19, 2024 the agency “sealed a factory and eight shops for packaging and distributing counterfeit rice, valued at approximately N5 billion,” she said.  The operation had targeted a facility named Ninjur Ventures on Abacha Road, Karu.  Also, at Wuse and Garki markets in Abuja, the agency “confiscated over 1,600 bags of counterfeit rice worth about N5 billion where counterfeit rice was being repackaged in branded bags.”

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     The “mop-up operation” in the FCT and Nasarawa State coincided with a two-day operation in Aba on December 16 and 17, 2024.  A total of 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Aba, Abia State, were shut down following an operation during which the agency “uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt with a market value of N5bn.”

     According to the NAFDAC boss, “In total, over N120bn worth of seized products were destroyed by the agency in six months (July-December) in the six geo-political zones and FCT.”

    Clearly, the destroyed products posed a serious threat to public health. However, the agency must go beyond destroying such products. Those involved in producing them and those who knowingly sell them to the public must be arrested and prosecuted for a deterrent effect.  The high scale of their dangerous activities suggests that the agency is not doing enough to deter them.  

  • NAFDAC to intensify fight against unsafe food, drugs in 2025 – DG

    NAFDAC to intensify fight against unsafe food, drugs in 2025 – DG

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has pledged to intensify its efforts against substandard and falsified medicines, as well as unwholesome food products, in the coming year, even as it urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cautious about the packaged food and drugs they purchase during the Yuletide season and beyond.

    In her New Year message to Nigerians on Sunday according to Sayo Akintola, the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, the Director General (DG), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reassured the public that robust measures have been implemented to safeguard the health of Nigerians during and after the festive season.

    To reinforce its commitment to eliminating unwholesome pharmaceuticals, the DG highlighted recent enforcement actions across the country, which led to the apprehension of manufacturers and merchants of fake drugs and unwholesome foods, with products worth billions of Naira confiscated in the last three months.

    She said: “On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Agency destroyed expired, unregistered drugs worth ₦11 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State. 

    “In November, the Agency seized N300m worth of fake medicines during a raid of Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State. 

    “Officers of the Agency also burst counterfeit alcohol packaging centres and seized items worth N₦2billion in Lagos.  

    “This followed reports of illegal revalidation of expired alcoholic beverages at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

    Read Also: NAFDAC raids rice repackaging factory

     “The war against substandard and falsified medicines and unwholesome food and drinks moved to Nasarawa State where officers of the Agency, led by the Director of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Directorate, Mr Kenneth Azikiwe stormed the Karu market situated at the border between FCT and Nasarawa State where bags of repackaged expired rice were confiscated by the Agency. 

    “Products worth about ₦5 billion were seized during the raid.

    “Also, in Nasarawa state, the Agency sealed a factory and eight shops for packaging and distributing counterfeit rice, valued at approximately ₦5 billion. 

    “The operation, conducted on December 19, targeted a facility named Ninjur Ventures on Abacha Road, Karu.

    “It would seem as though these merchants of substandard and fake products are seizing the opportunity of the anticipated high level of consumer purchases and consumption during the yuletide.   

    “At Wuse and Garki markets in Abuja last Friday the agency confiscated over 1,600 bags of counterfeit rice worth about ₦5 billion where counterfeit rice was being repackaged in branded bags”.

    Insisting that only safe, quality, and wholesome food products should be available to Nigerians during the yuletide and beyond, the DG specifically instructed that those counterfeiting popular brands of rice should be arrested and their products removed from the market.

    Simultaneously, a total of 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Aba, a suburb of Abia State, were shut down following an operation by the Agency, she noted, adding, “As the mop-up operation was going on in the FCT and Nasarawa State, NAFDAC was carrying out a two-day operation in the Aba market on December 16 and 17, 2024. 

    “During the operation, the agency uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt with a market value of ₦5bn.

    “The Agency on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, also destroyed expired, unregistered, counterfeit, and smuggled products valued at ₦10,991,458,374.60. 

    “The destroyed items, collected from five states in the Southwest Zone (excluding Lagos) and Kwara State in the North Central Zone due to its proximity, were incinerated in Ibadan. 

    “In total, over ₦120bn worth of seized products were destroyed by the Agency in six months (July-December) in the six geo-political zones and FCT”.

    The DG, however, assured that the Agency would not rest until the merchants of death are forced out of operation, stressing that the Agency would make it hard for them to operate freely and endanger the health of innocent consumers.

    She assured the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate (I&E) of the agency would continue the ongoing mop-up of substandard and falsified medicines and unwholesome food items from the markets across the country.

    “The coming year will be tough for the people that prioritize money over the wellbeing of their fellow human beings by compromising the quality of medicines and food products in the country’, she said.

    She urged consumers to consistently scrutinize medicines and branded drinks carefully to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits before consumption. “NAFDAC wishes to advise that the members of the public should be vigilant during this yuletide season.

     ‘’We are using this medium to appeal to Nigerians to buy only NAFDAC-registered drinks from reputable and licenced retailers, bars and supermarkets. 

    “If the product is being sold well below its normal price, or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors, then it is probably fake. Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and unusually shaped bottles,’’ Adeyeye said.

  • NAFDAC raids rice repackaging factory

    NAFDAC raids rice repackaging factory

    Operatives of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday raided a rice-repackaging factory in New Karu, Nasarawa, for allegedly counterfeiting popular brands.

    The enforcement operation, which confiscated numerous bags of rice from eight different facilities, was led by Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, the Director in charge of the FCT Directorate of the agency.

    He explained that the operation was prompted by intelligence from members of the public and reports from the owners of the affected brands.

    “Upon receiving these intelligence tips, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, issued a directive that only safe, quality, and wholesome food products should be available to Nigerians during the yuletide and beyond.

    “She specifically instructed that those counterfeiting popular brands of rice should be arrested and their products removed from the market.”

    Azikiwe added that the NAFDAC D-G also ordered corporate enforcement actions against those rebranding other people’s products.

    “This act of counterfeiting rice is illegal. Consumers believe they are buying quality products, but the quality is often substandard.”

    Explaining he said, “Today, after surveillance activities, we discovered facilities where a woman specialises in repackaging popular brands such as Bull 25kg, Stallion Rice 10kg, Tomatoes Rice 25kg, and several others.This woman uses a warehouse behind her residential house to carry out the repackaging, which is done only at night.”

    According to Azikiwe, “Once packaging is completed, the products are moved to a warehouse during the day for sale to unsuspecting consumers.

    “The packaging materials are kept in her residence to avoid raising suspicion among neighbours. Today, we visited the premises, confiscated the packaging materials, and seized some of the finished products.

    “We also inspected her warehouse and stores where these items were kept for sale, confiscating all the brands found there. Additionally, we visited other warehouses involved in similar activities and destroyed their products,” Azikiwe said.

    He stressed that the agency’s primary aim is to ensure the health and safety of Nigerians.

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    Azikiwe urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of counterfeiting, noting that such activities often take place within communities.

    He also advised the public to buy goods from accredited and trusted food shops, particularly during the festive season.

    “People must learn to purchase from reputable dealers or supermarkets that maintain a reliable supply chain for quality products,” he said.

    Azikiwe further urged Nigerians to always check for NAFDAC registration numbers, as well as the manufacturing and expiry dates, on all products they purchase.

    He revealed that the value of the confiscated counterfeit rice from the operation was approximately N5 million.

  • NAFDAC seizes N5billion fake rice

    NAFDAC seizes N5billion fake rice

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed a factory and eight shops in Nasarawa State for packaging, selling, and distributing counterfeit rice.

    Acting on an intelligence report, the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Taskforce uncovered an operation on Thursday on Thursday involving fake rice products worth an estimate.

    The factory, Ninjur Ventures, located at 44 Abacha Road in Karu and hidden behind a residential property, was found to be packaging and distributing counterfeit rice under various popular brand names.

    Products seized included fake bags of rice and empty sacks branded as Royal Stallion, Big Bull, Mama’s Choice, Optimum, and Ultimate Gold, in 25 kg and 50 kg sizes.

    Relevant documents linked to the operation were also confiscated. 

    During the raid, NAFDAC apprehended a factory worker who denied involvement and claimed that the factory had ceased operations two days earlier.

    She further alleged that the branded bags found in the warehouse did not belong to the facility, while the factory owner was absent at the time of the operation.

    In addition to the factory, NAFDAC sealed eight shops on Old Karu Road, which were also implicated in packaging and selling counterfeit rice.

    Read Also: NAFDAC raises the alarm over fake Paludex drugs, uncovers counterfeit hub in Aba

    Two shop owners were arrested alongside Thomas.

    Speaking after the raid, the Director of NAFDAC in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kenneth Azikiwe, emphasised that the enforcement was part of a nationwide operation directed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, aimed at eliminating counterfeit food products from circulation, particularly during the festive season.

    “This exercise shows the extent of counterfeiting in food products. The packaging materials we discovered reveal how these criminal elements deceive unsuspecting Nigerians into believing they are purchasing genuine products.

    “NAFDAC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeiting and ensures that only safe, high-quality food products reach consumers,” he said.

    Azikiwe disclosed that complaints from manufacturers, combined with intelligence reports, led to the operation, saying, “These brands are being counterfeited, and we’ve received complaints from manufacturers.

    “Through intelligence, we traced these activities to specific locations, such as the Karu factory where we found packaging materials for various brands being used to produce fake rice.”

    He also revealed that approximately 1,600 bags of fake rice, mostly in 25 kg and 50 kg sizes, were confiscated from the factory and other locations, bringing the total street value of seized counterfeit products to about N5 billion.

    Revealing that NAFDAC had already seized over 400 bags from Wuse Market in an earlier operation, Azikiwe said, “This is a nationwide operation, and it will continue because these criminal activities persist.

    “The individuals involved will face the full force of the law in line with NAFDAC regulations.” 

    He, however, advised consumers to purchase food products only from reputable sources and to verify the authenticity of items by checking for proper registration, batch information, and quality.

    “Nigerians should ensure that the food products they buy are registered by NAFDAC and purchased from trusted distributors or stores to avoid falling victim to counterfeit goods,” he added.

  • NAFDAC raises the alarm over fake Paludex drugs, uncovers counterfeit hub in Aba

    NAFDAC raises the alarm over fake Paludex drugs, uncovers counterfeit hub in Aba

    NAFDAC has warned Nigerians about the sale and distribution of fake Paludex tablets and suspensions across the country.

    The agency announced on its X account (formerly Twitter) that fake Paludex Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets (80mg/480mg) were falsely labelled as being made by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, located at Standard Industrial Layout, Emene, Enugu State.

    It added that these fake drugs are being distributed by MD Life Sciences Ltd, also based in Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu.

    NAFDAC further revealed the discovery of counterfeit Paludex dry powder for oral suspension (180mg/1080mg), meant for children.

    NAFDAC stated that the counterfeit Paludex oral suspension was falsely labelled as being manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, located at No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout, Enugu, and Ecomed Pharma Limited in Ogun State, and marketed by MD Life Sciences Ltd.

    The agency revealed that laboratory tests conducted by a WHO-prequalified laboratory in Germany showed that both products contained zero per cent of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Additional tests conducted by NAFDAC also confirmed the absence of any API in the products.

    The statement further disclosed that the fake products are not listed in NAFDAC’s database of registered drugs, and the NAFDAC registration numbers displayed on the packaging are fake.

    NAFDAC emphasized that authentic Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets or suspensions are a combination of two active ingredients, Artemether and Lumefantrine, used for treating acute, uncomplicated malaria in both adults and children.

    “The illegal marketing of medicines or counterfeit medicines poses a great risk to the health of people.

    “By not complying with the regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed.

    “Also, poor-quality pediatric formulations or medicines in general have the potential of causing treatment failure when the API content is below the prescribed dose,” it said.

    NAFDAC said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake products within their zones and states.

    It also implored distributors, healthcare providers, and patients to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid distribution, administration, and use of the products.

    The agency said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers.

    “The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    “Anyone in possession of any of the above-mentioned products is advised to immediately discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    The agency advised the public, especially those who have used any of the products to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

    It also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

    In another development, NAFDAC also identified Eziukwu Market, also known as Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, as a major hub for producing and distributing fake and substandard products.

    Read Also: NAFDAC raids Abia’s notorious home of fake, adulterated beverages

    This discovery followed an operation led by NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Martins Iluyomade, on Tuesday.

    During the operation, Iluyomade described the market as a centre for large-scale production and distribution of counterfeit goods, comparing its impact to “weapons of mass destruction.” Despite earlier raids, including a major one in December 2023, the illegal activities have persisted.

    Iluyomade expressed frustration that people continue to prioritize profits over public health and safety. He also pointed out that the market leaders had previously signed an agreement with NAFDAC during the last operation, promising to expose those involved in these illegal activities.

    However, he stressed that the market’s leadership must now answer serious questions about their failure to stop the production and sale of fake products.

  • NAFDAC raids Abia’s notorious home of fake, adulterated beverages

    NAFDAC raids Abia’s notorious home of fake, adulterated beverages

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered dangerous counterfeit products during an extensive operation at the Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) in Aba, Abia State, describing the items as “weapons of mass destruction.” 

    The operation followed a similar raid in the same market months ago, targeting shops dealing in fake and adulterated products.

    Martins Iluyomade, Director of NAFDAC’s Southeast Zone, who led the operation, emphasized the agency’s commitment to holding culprits accountable. 

    He expressed concern over the persistence of market traders who continue to prioritize profit over the safety of consumers. 

    Iluyomade pointed out that a previous agreement was signed by market leadership in December 2023, committing to assist in identifying those involved in these illegal activities.

    However, he warned that NAFDAC would revisit the agreement, holding market leaders accountable for the ongoing offenses.

    The operation uncovered a range of substandard products, including imported and locally brewed beverages, wines, whiskey, yogurts, carbonated drinks, dry gin, and chips, all being produced in unhygienic conditions. 

    Many of these items were found to be repackaged and relabeled expired products, which were then sold to unsuspecting buyers both within and outside the market.

    “We were here last year and we’re back here on credible intelligence that the people are recovering in their nefarious business. I’m short of words with what I’m seeing here. 

    “I feel like shading tears. I don’t understand why people will be recalcitrant and hell-bent on making money at the expense of the health and wellbeing of their fellow citizens. 

    “What we met today is not different from what we saw last year, if not much more. It’s quite disheartening. Honestly, I feel like crying. There’re no drinks you’re looking for in Nigeria that’s not been manufactured here. 

    “It’s quite difficult for you to know the difference.

    I call it destruction because what they make here is weapons of mass destruction. They’re killing people, en masse.”

    The zonal director said that henceforth, a lot of measure have been put in place to deal with the situation at the Eziukwu Market permanently, as the agency led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has zero tolerance for such activities. 

    “There are measures put in place to deal with what is happening here henceforth. I’ll not say it out here, but be rest assured that, there are measures already put in place even to the highest level of government in the state against these activities here once and for all. People cannot continue to kill their fellow citizens in the name of making money. 

    “We did a follow-up with our engagement last year, with the Governor who’s doing a marvelous job in the state. He has given us marching orders to do something, and I think this time is the right time to do those things. He’s definitely not in support of the destruction that’s going on here in the name of business.”

    According to Iluyomade, NAFDAC came to the market on Monday because it felt it was the right time to have proper access around the market and find out the reality on the ground. 

    “They don’t normally produce because of the sit-at-home issue. This is exactly why we didn’t meet people today. 

    “So, it’s normal that we’ll not meet people on Mondays, but it gives us the opportunity to screen and move around easily. 

    “If this were to be a normal day, movement will be hard. Many people who don’t know what we’re doing will be everywhere and the environment will not be calm for us to do our jobs of cleaning this place properly. 

    “Sponsored thugs and many people will want to stop and disrupt this operation, but this day gives us a good opportunity to save lives of consumers by getting the products. 

    “However, we’ve gotten credible information on specific people and individuals that we have to follow up unlike what happened before. So, we’ll follow them up henceforth.”

    Giving his words of advice to consumers on the festive season, the Zonal Director warned that every consumer needs to be painstaking when exchanging their money for goods. 

    “Our message is that everybody must shine their eyes. Let them be careful in this season of merriment to avoid damage of kidney and liver. Let them buy registered products from accredited distributors only. They’re everywhere, so people should take out time and find them. 

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    “Again, people should do some basic checks. There are mixtures of names that are replica of the original products but the problem is that the consumers are not diligent enough to check what they’re buying. They should properly look at the labels of their products. 

    “Last, when a real product is selling for a certain amount of naira and a seller is giving you the product at a cut half price of the original you already know, is that not enough red flag for you to avoid that place? 

    “They’ll tell you it’s type two or number two, just because they felt the original is expensive. Why not avoid what you can’t buy? Drink your water instead of buying substandard to destroy your body.”

    On expired products, Iluyomade said that the amount of expired products he saw being re-validated weakened him the most and advised consumers to be watchful. 

    “Our people should look at the pack of the products when it looks older than the date marking. They should know that such products have been re-validated. 

    “When packs are scratchy and the date markings are very clear and crispy, you should know that something is wrong. Consumers should open their eyes.”