By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Substandard, counterfeit and expired drugs, and products worth about one billion Naira, were on Thursday, June 27, 2024, destroyed by the National Agency For Food, Drugs and Administration Control NAFDAC in Kano.
This is even as the Director General, DG, of the regulatory agency Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has noted that the removal of fake and unwholesome products from the market will ensure a healthier atmosphere for Nigerians.
The burnt products which include medicines, food items, alcoholic beverages and other essential materials were seized from the North-west states of the country.
Represented by the Director Northwest Zone, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, the DG lamented that the uncoordinated and often times chaotic distribution chain in the country, has tended to frustrate the efforts of NAFDAC in effectively curbing the productions and sales of adulterated items.
Prof. Adeyeye stated that the products destroyed represent a grave threat to Nigerians.
“They are not mere substandard products. They are potential instruments of harm that could devastate families and derail our nation’s progress.
“By destroying these items, we are sending a clear message; there is no place for counterfeit and unsafe products in the country.
“The handling and disposal of NAFDAC’s waste ,like today’s exercise ,is in line with our strategy aimed at eradicating fake drugs and other spurious NAFDAC regulated products from circulation in Nigeria.” the DG noted .
Part of the burnt items also include cosmetics products, agro-industrial chemicals and medical and diagnostic equipments.
The NAFDAC DG informed that the Agency has upscaled its activities from mere destruction of counterfeit items to the institutionalization of necessary frame works for an enhanced surveillance.
According to her, there is, also, collaborative efforts with both local and international bodies to control the influx of unwholesome products in to the country.
While appealing to Nigerians to shun dealings on counterfeit items, the DG however warned that there will be no hiding place for those who are bent on destroying innocent lives.
“We will find you .We will stop you. And the full force of the law awaits you”, Adeyeye warned.
