On Saturday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) declared that it had successfully closed over 11,000 pharmacies across the country and seized trillions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit medications.
In this important operation, NAFDAC specifically closed the drug markets in Aba, Onitsha, and Idumota, while also apprehending 40 individuals connected to the sale of dangerous and unregistered drugs.
The exercise demonstrates the organization’s dedication to guaranteeing the integrity and safety of Nigerian pharmaceuticals.
The Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, revealed these while guiding reporters through its Apapa, Lagos, warehouse.
According to Adeyeye, the organisation has also removed more than 77 truckloads of illegal and fake medications, including more than 20 from Aba, 30 from Onitsha, and 27 from Idumota.
The head of NAFDAC also disclosed that 3,027 stores had been closed in Idumota, 4,000 stores had been closed in Onitsha (with the operation only 20% finished), and an additional 4,000 stores had been closed in Osisioma in Aba.
According to Adeyeye, the organisation had evacuated more than 20 truckloads from Aba, 30 from Onitsha, and 27 from Idumota.
“We discovered vaccines that are not supposed to be stored outside the refrigerator,” she said, describing the findings as “mind-blowing.” Condoms and controlled substances that should have been destroyed since 2022 were discovered. We discovered items that USAID had donated.
We discovered free antiretrovirals. Prior to my time, Nigeria had outlawed the analgesic Tramadol. We discovered multiple boxes of analgin, not just one. How did it enter the nation or market? Two boxes resembled container loads.
We have discovered devices they use to modify the expiration dates of medications that should have expired in 2022 or 2023. They’ll move it to 2028, and people will continue to get sick.
Trillions of drugs have been evacuated, she said.
The DG clarified that the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Security Adviser (NSA) provided assistance to enable the operation, which has already lasted more than three weeks.
Adeyeye also responded to traders’ complaints that the agency was interfering with their operations.
“Trade is not being disrupted by us. “Life is being protected,” she emphasised. “We are working to prevent our youth from falling prey to dangerous drugs in the future.”
“We are working to ensure that patients who receive subpar medication survive.” Because you are taking effective medication, we are attempting to ensure that if you have hypertension, it will be relieved.
She expressed regret that the operation’s results from NAFDAC were concerning.
The agency found drugs kept in filthy conditions, such as toilets and poorly ventilated warehouses without windows, in addition to expired medications.
Among the drugs found were Tapfradol, a dangerous combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol that is prohibited in India, and Tramadol 225mg, a powerful opioid that can cause severe neurological damage.
Adeyeye revealed that a large number of the drugs that were confiscated were brought into the nation illegally and were not listed in NAFDAC’s database.
“Drugs are being kept in ways that further increase their dangers. These include items that need to be refrigerated, such as vaccines, which are stored at room temperature, she clarified.
Additionally, the agency discovered counterfeit goods, such as devices that alter medication expiration dates. Medications that were supposed to expire in 2022, for example, were changed to look as though they were still valid until 2028.
The scope of the operation has necessitated the cooperation of over 1,000 security personnel, including 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and 250 in Idumota, she said, lamenting the staffing shortage.
To address the crisis, NAFDAC collaborated closely with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Adeyeye recognised the agency’s resource limitations, pointing to a shortage of adequate personnel and capital.
“We don’t have enough personnel, so our staff is doing the work of five people.”
She called on the federal government to give NAFDAC additional funding.
Speaking to Nigerians, Adeyeye cautioned against making rash drug purchases.
“Trash any medication you purchased from a street vendor. “Only purchase from a trustworthy pharmacy,” she advised, stressing the importance of parents keeping an eye on their kids’ activities to stop drug abuse.
In order to stop the smuggling of fake medications, she also urged the federal government to strengthen border security.
“Our work is becoming more challenging due to the porous borders. To prevent these dangerous goods from entering the nation, we need more personnel at the borders.
The mission of NAFDAC is far from over. In order to guarantee regulatory compliance, the agency intends to extend its activities to additional states while collaborating closely with sister agencies.
“This is only the start. Adeyeye pledged, “We will not give up until the threat of counterfeit and subpar medications is eliminated from Nigeria.”
CREDIT: Nairaland, Allschoolabs
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