The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dealt a decisive blow to unethical pharmaceutical practices by sealing a pharmacy in Abuja’s Garki district over the sale of expired and unregistered drugs.
Located on Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, the pharmacy was shut down following an enforcement operation carried out on Saturday. The raid, which was triggered by a tip-off from a concerned citizen, led to the discovery of expired medical products valued at over seven million naira.
Dangerous Products Exposed
Among the confiscated items were expired “H-Pylori” test kits, which pose significant risks to public health. H-Pylori tests are crucial for diagnosing bacterial infections that can cause ulcers and other severe gastric conditions. Experts warn that using expired kits could result in misdiagnoses, leading to complications for patients.
A statement issued by NAFDAC revealed that the Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist of the pharmacy were arrested during the operation. Both individuals are now under investigation.
“NAFDAC has sealed off a pharmacy located at Onitsha Crescent, Area 11 – Garki, Abuja, for selling expired and unregistered drugs,” the agency announced via its official account on X (formerly Twitter).
The statement emphasized the scale of the violations, stating: “Acting on a tip-off from a concerned citizen, NAFDAC’s enforcement team uncovered several expired items worth over seven million naira, including expired ‘H-Pylori’ test kits, which posed significant risks to public health.”
Obstruction and Seizure
The operation was not without resistance. Pharmacy staff allegedly attempted to obstruct the enforcement team from carrying out their duties. Despite these efforts, NAFDAC successfully secured the premises, confiscated the expired products, and arrested the key figures involved.
“Stringent sanctions will be imposed as a deterrent to unethical practices,” the agency declared, underscoring its commitment to protecting public health.
A Public Health Wake-Up Call
This incident has raised alarm about the prevalence of expired and substandard drugs in Nigerian pharmacies. Public health experts warn that such practices undermine trust in the healthcare system and can lead to severe health complications, including treatment failures and drug resistance.
Dr. Adebayo Johnson, a public health analyst, explained the dangers of expired drugs: “Expired medications lose their potency and can sometimes degrade into harmful substances. Selling such products is not only unethical but criminal.”
The issue of unregistered drugs is another major concern. Medications that have not been approved by NAFDAC may not meet safety and efficacy standards, putting unsuspecting consumers at risk.
NAFDAC’s Enforcement Efforts
NAFDAC has been ramping up its enforcement activities across Nigeria to combat the proliferation of unregulated pharmaceutical products. This latest action in Abuja is part of a broader campaign to rid the country of substandard and expired drugs.
The agency has called on Nigerians to play an active role in this fight by reporting suspicious activities. “NAFDAC urges the public to remain vigilant when purchasing regulated products and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement added.
Previous Cases Highlight a Trend
This is not the first time NAFDAC has taken drastic measures against pharmacies engaging in unethical practices. In recent months, the agency has sealed multiple outlets across the country for similar offenses, reflecting a troubling trend in the pharmaceutical sector.
In December 2024, a Lagos-based pharmacy was shut down for selling counterfeit antimalarial drugs, while earlier in the year, a Port Harcourt outlet was penalized for storing vaccines under improper conditions.
Such cases underscore the need for stricter regulatory oversight and harsher penalties to deter offenders.
Call for Reforms
Stakeholders in the health sector have called for reforms to ensure better compliance with pharmaceutical regulations. These include mandatory routine inspections, stiffer penalties for violators, and public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of unregulated drugs.
As investigations into the Abuja pharmacy case continue, NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians. The agency has urged consumers to check the expiry dates on all medications and only purchase drugs from licensed pharmacies.
“Our enforcement team is working tirelessly to eliminate unsafe products from the market. We will not relent in our efforts to safeguard public health,” NAFDAC’s statement concluded.
