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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, counterfeit, and substandard drugs worth over N1 trillion in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
The destruction took place on Friday, with the items destroyed including Analgin, Tramadol, and various pediatric pharmaceuticals, which had been stored in prohibited areas or were banned by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The drugs were part of the haul resulting from the raid and subsequent closure of the Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market and the Aba Drug Market in Abia State.
According to NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Zonal Director for the Southeast, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the closure and raids of these markets were in response to public complaints regarding the prevalence of fake, substandard, and counterfeit drugs in the Southeast. “It is our responsibility to ensure that these products are safe and fit for human consumption.” Iluyomade said.
“These drugs were transported in 100 trucks of 40 feet containers, valued at over N1 trillion, and were supposed to be stored at specific temperatures. However, they were kept in markets that do not meet the required standards. “The volume of drugs found in these two markets could destabilise the country, and many of these are narcotic drugs associated with criminal activity. “People who consume these drugs are not only harming themselves, but also using them to commit crimes, which contributes to the growing insecurity in our country,” he said.
