The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently destroyed counterfeit and substandard medicines valued at ₦100 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State. The operation targeted expired, falsified, and unregistered drugs, including controlled substances like Tramadol 225mg and banned products such as Analgin. This action aimed to prevent these unsafe drugs from re-entering the market and jeopardizing public health.

The destruction took place at the Akinyele dump site in Ibadan. NAFDAC's Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Yedunni Adenuga, emphasized the agency's commitment to ensuring the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks for consumers. She highlighted that recent enforcement activities in markets like Idumota, Onitsha, Ariara, and Ezeuku revealed alarming quantities of unregistered and banned products, contributing to national security concerns.

The operation was bolstered by the support of the National Security Adviser, who approved the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel, including members of the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS). Several suspects were apprehended during the three-week exercise, and investigations are ongoing to sanction those found culpable.

Prof. Adeyeye also acknowledged the collaboration with various agencies, including the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other stakeholders in combating substandard and falsified medicines. She appealed to the public, community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, and the media to assist in the fight against counterfeit medicines by providing valuable information to prevent and eradicate the presence of dangerous medicines and other violative products from society.

This significant action underscores NAFDAC's ongoing efforts to safeguard public health by eliminating counterfeit and substandard medical products from the Nigerian market.