 has sealed more than 11,000 shops and apprehended 40 individuals in an ongoing nationwide effort to eliminate fake and substandard medicines.){kind=link}
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed more than 11,000 shops and apprehended 40 individuals in an ongoing nationwide effort to eliminate fake and substandard medicines.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed in Lagos on Saturday that the operation had been in the works for over a year, involving undercover investigations.
The enforcement exercise began on February 10 at major drug markets, including Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Bridge Market in Onitsha.
These locations serve as distribution hubs for over 80% of medications in circulation, making them key targets in the fight against counterfeit and unregistered drugs.
Adeyeye reported that over 20 trucks of substandard medicines were removed from various locations in Aba, while Onitsha saw the confiscation of around 30 trucks.
In Lagos, 27 truckloads of counterfeit drugs were evacuated from the Idumota market.
She stated, “We are concluding operations in Aba, having nearly completed evacuations. The next step involves inspecting shops individually to verify compliance with registration requirements.”
So far, 4,000 shops have been closed in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba. Adeyeye noted that only about 20% of the work in Onitsha had been completed, adding that while some traders were selling genuine products, they were not registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).
She praised security agencies for their role in ensuring a safe and effective operation, highlighting past challenges faced by enforcement teams.
“Three years ago, our officials narrowly escaped being killed while attempting a similar operation in Onitsha. This time, thanks to security support, our teams operated without fear,” she said.
She further disclosed that the National Security Adviser (NSA) had deployed 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and over 250 in Lagos to safeguard NAFDAC personnel.
Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s commitment to combating the distribution of fake and falsified drugs across the country.