The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Saturday visited the agency’s Enforcement Office in Apapa, Lagos, to inspect illicit pharmaceuticals seized from the Idumota Open Drug Market.
During the inspection, Adeyeye noted that the NAFDAC warehouse was packed to capacity, with some seized drugs stored in the director’s office due to the sheer volume of confiscated items. This highlights the magnitude of the problem of counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceuticals in the country.
Adeyeye emphasized that NAFDAC’s operations are solely focused on safeguarding public health, stating, “We are not disturbing trade; we are protecting lives. We cannot, because of trade, let people continue to die needlessly.” She reiterated that the agency is fulfilling its mandate, and its actions are not politically motivated.
The NAFDAC DG also pointed out that many shops in these drug markets operate without registration from the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, rendering them illegal. This lack of regulation creates an environment conducive to the sale of counterfeit, expired, and unregistered medicines.
Adeyeye defended NAFDAC’s intensified enforcement efforts in Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota, revealing that over 1,000 personnel are working to rid the country of these harmful pharmaceuticals. This crackdown is part of a broader initiative to ensure that only safe and regulated pharmaceuticals remain in circulation, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to public health and safety.
