In a decisive move to combat the proliferation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has executed a significant operation at the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. The agency seized over ten trucks, each loaded with 40-foot containers filled with fake, expired, and falsified drugs, and firmly rejected bribes totaling ₦135 million aimed at obstructing the enforcement exercise.
The operation, which commenced on Monday, is part of NAFDAC’s intensified efforts to cleanse Nigeria’s pharmaceutical markets of substandard and dangerous drugs. Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of NAFDAC’s South East Zone, led the enforcement team and provided insights into the scale and implications of the seizure.
“Today marks the fifth day of our enforcement exercise, which began on Monday. We have successfully confiscated more than ten trucks, each carrying a 40-foot container filled with fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs from the market. Alarmingly, some of these drugs even bear fraudulent NAFDAC approval claims,” Dr. Iluyomade stated.
The Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market has long been under surveillance due to reports of illicit activities involving pharmaceuticals. Intelligence gathered by NAFDAC revealed that certain traders within the market were engaged in repackaging and revalidating expired medicines, altering expiration dates, and rebranding them to appear as legitimate products. These counterfeit drugs were then distributed to unsuspecting consumers, posing severe health risks.
“Our investigations uncovered that over 90% of the shops inspected in this market are involved in the sale of fake, substandard, repackaged, and counterfeit drugs. The magnitude of these illicit activities is such that, if fully disclosed, it could warrant the complete shutdown of the market,” Dr. Iluyomade emphasized.
During the operation, NAFDAC officials discovered sophisticated machinery used for rebranding and repackaging pharmaceuticals. These machines, along with fraudulent packaging materials and rebagged containers, were confiscated to prevent further misuse. The agency’s swift action underscores its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that only genuine and safe medications are available in the market.
In a brazen attempt to derail the enforcement exercise, certain individuals approached NAFDAC operatives with bribes totaling ₦135 million. These offers were categorically rejected, and the agency remained steadfast in its mission. “Many traders attempted to bribe our personnel with a total of ₦135 million to halt this exercise or allow them to move their fake products. However, we remain resolute in sanitizing the market. This operation is being conducted with full transparency and is not aimed at witch-hunting anyone,” Dr. Iluyomade affirmed.
The implications of distributing counterfeit drugs are profound. Such drugs can lead to therapeutic failures, exacerbation of diseases, and in severe cases, death. The World Health Organization has consistently warned about the dangers of substandard and falsified medical products, highlighting the need for stringent regulatory actions.
In response to the gravity of the situation, NAFDAC is advocating for stricter penalties for those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. Proposed measures include life imprisonment or even the death penalty for offenders, aiming to serve as a strong deterrent against such nefarious activities.
The agency’s collaboration with security agencies, market leaders, and other critical stakeholders has been pivotal in the success of this operation. This united front demonstrates a collective commitment to eradicating the menace of fake drugs from Nigeria’s markets.
While the majority of shops were found culpable, a select few passed the rigorous inspection and were commended for their adherence to regulations. These compliant traders have been designated as ambassadors for best practices within the market. One such trader, Chukwudi Ikem, shared his experience: “Initially, I believed this exercise was a targeted attack on certain individuals, but I now understand that it is a necessary effort to clean up the market. If NAFDAC had conducted this raid one or two years ago, I might not have escaped, as I was previously involved in selling fake drugs. However, my conscience troubled me, and I decided to change my ways. Today, I am grateful that my shop has been given a clean bill of health,” Ikem expressed.
