NAFDAC Destroys N15bn Worth of Fake, Expired Drugs in Ibadan

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unwholesome, falsified, and expired medical products worth over ?15 billion at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The destruction exercise, held on Wednesday, was led by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement.

Why the destruction matters

Adeyeye explained that the move was aimed at permanently eliminating the risk of dangerous drugs re-entering the Nigerian market and threatening public health. The products destroyed included counterfeit, expired, controlled, unregistered, and banned medicines.

Items burnt included Analgin, Co-codamol, codeine-containing cough syrups, Tramadol, Oxytocin, and expired vaccines—all of which pose serious health risks if consumed.

Value and recent seizures

Adeyeye disclosed that the destroyed products had an estimated street value of ?15 billion. Among them was a recent seizure of a container falsely labeled as diclofenac but packed with anti-malaria drugs—277 cartons with over 100,000 tablets, smuggled into Nigeria. The suspect behind the consignment has been arrested and will face prosecution.

During another raid at a military barracks in Lagos, NAFDAC uncovered illegally manufactured cosmetics and packaging materials. Several other items were seized in nationwide crackdowns on black-market drug sellers, counterfeiters, and unlicensed dealers.

Call for public vigilance

The DG urged community leaders, health workers, religious leaders, and journalists to help educate Nigerians on the dangers of buying from unlicensed drug sellers. She emphasized that public vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities are critical to safeguarding lives.

Adeyeye also commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for handing over more than 25 seized 40-foot containers filled with prohibited products—including Tramadol, Artesunate injections, and frozen poultry.

“These prohibited products are part of what we are destroying today, and their removal marks another victory in the battle against violative and harmful substances,” she said.

Wider clampdown

The exercise comes shortly after NAFDAC announced the withdrawal, suspension, and cancellation of 101 pharmaceutical products no longer permitted in Nigeria. These include popular drugs such as Abacavir, Amaryl, Amlodipine, Artemether/Lumefantrine, Januvia, and Janumet, among others from global firms like Sanofi, Novartis, and Bayer.

In addition, the agency has given medicine dealers in Idumota (Lagos), Onitsha (Anambra), and Aba (Abia) two weeks to register with its national database or face enforcement action.

Dr. Iluyomade stressed that the database would ensure full traceability and accountability of pharmaceutical products. He warned that shop owners who tampered with NAFDAC seals or reopened sealed shops would face prosecution.