The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down more than 11,000 shops and detained 40 individuals as part of a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the enforcement operation had been strategically planned for over a year through covert investigations.
The clampdown, which began on February 10, targeted major drug markets, including Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Bridge Market in Onitsha.
These locations are key distribution centers for more than 80% of medications in circulation, making them critical to the agency’s efforts to remove fake and unregistered drugs from the market.
Adeyeye reported that more than 20 trucks of substandard medicines were removed from different sites in Aba, around 30 trucks were confiscated in Onitsha, and 27 trucks were cleared from the Idumota market in Lagos.
She stated, “We are wrapping up operations in Aba, having completed most of the evacuations. The next phase involves inspecting shops individually to determine which ones are properly registered.”
So far, authorities have shut down 4,000 shops in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba. Adeyeye noted that only about 20% of the work in Onitsha had been completed and pointed out that while some traders sell genuine medications, they are not registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).
She acknowledged the crucial role of security agencies in ensuring the success of the operation, highlighting previous risks faced by enforcement teams.
“Three years ago, some of our officials were nearly attacked while trying to carry out a similar exercise in Onitsha. This time, with adequate security support, our teams worked without fear,” she said.
She added that the National Security Adviser (NSA) deployed 400 personnel in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and over 250 in Lagos to ensure the safety of NAFDAC officials.
Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s determination to continue its fight against counterfeit and falsified medicines across the country.
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