In Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday, the National Agency for Food Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) destroyed fraudulent and unwholesome regulated items valued more than N326 million.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the operation was carried out by the agency’s North Central zone office using products collected from the states of Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Kwara, Niger, and Nasarawa.
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, stated that the destroyed goods, which were either seized or voluntarily turned up by compliant businesses and other stakeholders, included medications, food, cosmetics, and chemicals.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr Francis Ononiwu, the Agency’s Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, said the destruction of the products was to prevent their reintroduction into the distribution chain.
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The DG noted that the importation, distribution and sales of fake, unsafe and wholesome NAFDAC-regulated products represented a grave onslaught on human life.
Adeyeye said that the agency, by its establishment Act Cap LFN, 2004, was saddled with the responsibility to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs and medical products.
She, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of stakeholders and the public in order to rid the country of fake medicines and other products.
In his remarks, the North Central Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Pharm. Mohammed Shaba explained that the destruction was a routine exercise, adding that the products were mopped up from five states within the zone.
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He said that most of the violators have been prosecuted with some serving prison terms and others paying fines.
Shaba said that the agency was resolute and would not spare any violator of the regulated products.
He, however, advised users of consumables to always check both the manufacturing and expiry dates as well as NAFDAC registration numbers on products before purchase.
Shaba urged the public to report to the agency or security outfit any person or group dealing in fake, unregistered and unwholesome products.
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