The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired, and substandard medical products worth ₦4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The destruction exercise, which took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Authority (RIWAMA) Dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, is part of efforts to rid the South-South region of harmful and falsified medical products.
The process of collating contraband drugs and other unwholesome health materials across six South-South states began on Thursday, with the items transported to the dumpsite for disposal.
Speaking at the event, the South-South Director of NAFDAC, Chukwuemeka Oligbu, who represented the Director-General, highlighted the agency’s commitment to ensuring public safety.
“The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of Substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits, and other expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Also, up for destruction today are damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN), and trade unions, to the agency,” he noted.
Oligbu urged the public to report suspicious pharmaceutical activities and unsafe products to the agency, emphasizing the need for collaboration between NAFDAC and stakeholders, including pharmacists, law enforcement agencies, and industry players.
The destruction exercise was carried out in collaboration with partner agencies and security operatives.
As the flames consumed the counterfeit and expired drugs, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians from the dangers of substandard and falsified medical products.
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