The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Lagos State, on Thursday began the destruction of unwholesome, banned, expired, fake and substandard products valued at N55.4 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise took place at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, said the products destroyed included damaged and expired items that posed serious risks to public health.
She explained that the items were voluntarily handed over to the agency by no fewer than 70 compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and trade unions.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Apapa, Lagos, Mrs Florence Uba, said the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N55,436,844,470.
She said the exercise was aimed at preventing dangerous products from re-entering the market and causing harm to consumers.
“The products destroyed include substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, as well as other expired items,” she said.
According to her, the products were seized from manufacturers, importers and distributors across the state.
“NAFDAC is charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the nation and remains committed to fulfilling its mandate,” Adeyeye said.
She urged community leaders, health professionals, religious leaders and journalists to educate the public on the dangers of patronizing unlicensed drug vendors and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
The agency also called for increased public participation in the fight against substandard products, urging Nigerians to report suspicious drug-related activities to help protect lives and strengthen the country’s regulatory system.
Adeyeye expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Police, the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and other stakeholders for their support.
“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she said.
