The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug markets across the country, shutting down over 11,000 shops in Aba, Onitsha, and Idumota while arresting 40 individuals linked to the sale of counterfeit and dangerous drugs.
During a media tour of the agency’s warehouse in Apapa, Lagos, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the agency had confiscated 77 truckloads of unregistered and substandard drugs. According to her, 27 truckloads were seized from Idumota, 30 from Onitsha, and 20 from Aba. She also revealed that 3,027 shops were closed in Idumota, 4,000 in Onitsha—where only 20 percent of the operation has been completed— and another 4,000 in Osisioma, Aba.
NAFDAC’s inspection teams uncovered various disturbing violations, including expired and falsified drugs that had their expiration dates changed from 2022 and 2023 to 2028, unregistered and smuggled pharmaceuticals such as Tramadol 225mg and *Tapfradol* (a banned combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol), vaccines stored at unsafe temperatures, controlled substances and antiretroviral drugs meant for free distribution, and medicines kept in unsanitary conditions such as toilets and poorly ventilated warehouses.
Adeyeye dismissed claims from traders that the agency’s actions were disrupting their businesses, stating that NAFDAC’s focus is on protecting public health. She emphasized that unsafe medicines put patients at risk and hinder proper treatment.
The NAFDAC boss also highlighted the challenges the agency faces, including inadequate staffing and funding, stressing that many employees are forced to take on multiple roles. She called on the federal government to strengthen border security to curb the influx of fake drugs into the country.
She further advised Nigerians to be cautious when purchasing medicines, warning, *”If you bought medicine from a street corner, throw it away. Only buy from a reputable pharmacy store.”*
NAFDAC has vowed to continue its operations nationwide in collaboration with other government agencies to eliminate substandard and falsified drugs. *”This is just the beginning. We will not stop until the menace of substandard and falsified drugs is eradicated from Nigeria,”* Adeyeye pledged.
