NAFDAC Issues Alert on Anambra’s Drug Safety Issues
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns over the prevalence of counterfeit and expired drugs in Anambra State’s markets. In a recent operation at Onitsha’s Ogbo-Ogu Market, also known as the Bridgehead Drug Market, NAFDAC officials seized a significant quantity of adulterated, substandard, and expired pharmaceutical products.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, led the enforcement exercise, which involved thorough inspections of various shops and warehouses within the market. The confiscated items included counterfeit antibiotics, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, antiasthmatics, aphrodisiacs, antimalarials, anti-inflammatory drugs, herbal remedies, and psychoactive substances. Additionally, banned drugs such as Analgin, Tramadol (above 100 mg), Gentamycin (280 mg), Codeine, and other controlled substances were discovered.
Dr. Iluyomade emphasized that the operation aligns with NAFDAC’s mandate to eradicate fake, banned, and substandard products from Nigerian markets, thereby protecting unsuspecting consumers. He noted that intelligence gathered over time revealed that some individuals were repackaging counterfeit drugs to deceive the public. The agency is committed to sanitizing the market and safeguarding public health by removing such hazardous products from circulation.
NAFDAC urges consumers to remain vigilant and only purchase medications from licensed and reputable sources. The agency also calls on the public to report any suspicious or counterfeit products to the nearest NAFDAC office or through their official communication channels.