The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has disposed of counterfeit, prohibited and expired pharmaceutical products valued at more than N55 billion in Oyo State.
The destruction exercise was conducted on Thursday at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, within Akinyele Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the action was aimed at permanently removing unsafe medicines, medical devices and other regulated products from circulation.
Her remarks were delivered by the Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mrs Florence Ubah.
She explained that the exercise was necessary to ensure that seized expired, substandard and falsified products do not re-enter the supply chain and pose risks to public health.
According to NAFDAC, the items destroyed included fake and expired drugs, unsafe cosmetics, contaminated or unwholesome food items, counterfeit products and other regulated goods confiscated from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
Adeyeye also disclosed that more than 70 companies, non-governmental organisations and trade unions voluntarily submitted damaged and expired products for disposal.
“The total estimated market value of the items destroyed today stands at N55,436,844,470,” she stated.
She commended security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the NDLEA and other partners for their collaboration in tackling the circulation of fake and unsafe products.
The NAFDAC boss further urged religious and community leaders, healthcare professionals, media practitioners and members of the public to intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of purchasing drugs and food items from unauthorised sources.
