In a shocking revelation, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medicinal products, including USAID and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs and condoms, from markets in Lagos and Abia ¹.
The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the operation, which began on February 9, 2025, involved 1,100 security operatives and resulted in the removal of over 7,000 shops from circulation. Adeyeye emphasized that the seized products were not only counterfeit but also stored in harsh environments, compromising their efficacy and safety.
Key Findings:
– Diverted Donations: Large quantities of USAID and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs and condoms were found expired and repackaged for sale.
– Substandard Storage: Products were discovered stacked in toilets, under staircases, and on rooftops at high temperatures, without consideration for cold chain storage requirements.
– Controlled Substances: Significant quantities of controlled drugs, including TAFRADOL, Tramadol, Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Nitrazepam, and Diazepam, were seized.
– Economic Impact: The value of seized drugs is estimated at N1 trillion, with post-assessment figures potentially higher.
Adeyeye stressed that the operation was part of NAFDAC’s National Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2027) to eliminate counterfeit medicines, improve regulatory compliance, and safeguard public health. The agency plans to relocate the affected markets to designated Coordinated Wholesale Centres within the next year.
The NAFDAC DG also called for increased security protection, citing threats to her life and those of her staff members. She advocated for the death penalty for those producing and selling fake drugs in Nigeria