The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully destroyed a large cache of substandard and falsified medical products in a significant operation aimed at safeguarding public health. The exercise, held on Friday, February 7, 2025, took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Authority (RIWAMA) Dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
This operation, which sought to rid the South-South region of harmful health products, involved the destruction of counterfeit drugs, unsafe cosmetics, expired processed food products, and other unwholesome materials. These items had been gathered from six states across the region, with the collection process beginning on Thursday.
NAFDAC’s South-South Director, Chukwuma Oligbu, who represented the Director-General of NAFDAC at the event, explained the importance of the destruction exercise. “The products being destroyed today include substandard and falsified medical products, expired goods, and counterfeit drugs that were seized from various manufacturers, importers, and distributors,” he said. Oligbu also noted that damaged and expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, NGOs, the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN), and trade unions were also included.
The destruction was carried out in collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, with efforts focused on eliminating the circulation of harmful products that pose serious health risks to the public.
Oligbu urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between NAFDAC, law enforcement agencies, and industry players in combating the threat of counterfeit drugs. “Together, we can ensure that Nigerians are protected from the dangers of substandard medical products,” he added.
As the flames consumed the dangerous substances, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products in Nigeria, highlighting the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect public health from counterfeit and expired consumables.
