Aba, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismantled a major illegal drug operation in Abia State, exposing a depot engaged in the repackaging and resale of expired and counterfeit medications.
In a statement shared via its X handle, NAFDAC revealed that the illicit business was operating from multiple buildings in Umumeje Village, near the Ariaria International Market.
The agency warned that the activities of these fraudulent operators posed a severe public health risk, as unsuspecting consumers were purchasing repackaged and falsely revalidated drugs.
According to NAFDAC, the mastermind behind the illegal trade fled the scene during the raid, while several individuals linked to the operation were apprehended.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating the circulation of fake drugs in Nigeria, aligning its efforts with the federal government’s broader crackdown on counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
To strengthen enforcement, the agency is currently reviewing its regulatory framework to introduce harsher penalties for those involved in the production and distribution of unsafe medications.
Seized items from the illegal depot included expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments. Authorities also confiscated sophisticated machinery used to alter expiry dates and repackage the drugs.
The prevalence of counterfeit drugs remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, endangering public health, eroding trust in the healthcare system, and contributing to increased mortality rates.
In a related operation, NAFDAC shut down the Onitsha Drug Market in Anambra State on February 10, 2025, as part of an intensified effort to curb the distribution of substandard and falsified medicines.
The raid, conducted in collaboration with the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), led to the seizure of unregistered pharmaceuticals worth millions of naira.
In response to the growing crisis, NAFDAC has proposed the death penalty for individuals found guilty of drug peddling, particularly in cases where substandard medications result in fatalities.
The agency stressed that tackling the fake drug menace requires a coordinated effort from government agencies, healthcare professionals, and the public to safeguard the nation’s health sector.
By Taiwo Olatinwo|February 14, 2025.
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