The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed the popular Idumota open drug market in Lagos State, in an enforcement operation aimed at eliminating counterfeit and sub-standard medicines across the country.
The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, announced on Tuesday that the Idumota market, along with the Ariaria Market in Aba and the Onitsha market in Anambra State, were sealed as part of a week-long initiative targeting the distribution hubs responsible for over 80 percent of medications in Nigeria.
“On Sunday night, we sealed the three major open drug markets in the country – Idumota drug market, Onitsha drug market and Ariaria drug markets in Aba.
“We have all the securities- military police, secret service and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, along with NAFDAC staff working in these markets.
“Before now, we were involved in so many investigations, and we go to all these markets to seize products, but what we are doing this week is to ensure that we remove virtually all counterfeit products from these markets,” he said.
Read also: NAFDAC boss calls for death penalty for fake drug dealers
Mohammed disclosed that the enforcement teams are inspecting more than 5, 000 shops, including warehouses and packing stores, to identify and remove harmful medical products.
He emphasized the importance of the enforcement operation, stating that it aims to address issues related to counterfeit, sub-standard, expired, and rebranded drugs that pose significant health risks to Nigerians.
“The operation has seen shop owners complying with NAFDAC directives, as officials conduct thorough inspections. Significant seizures have already occurred, including seven trucks filled with suspected falsified and expired drugs, as well as items depicted with human parts.
“This crackdown represents a crucial step in safeguarding public health and ensuring the integrity of medical products in the market,” he added.
