The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted counterfeit malaria drugs worth over ₦1.2 billion in Lagos, intensifying its nationwide clampdown on fake and substandard medicines.
In a statement released on its official X handle on Friday, the agency confirmed the seizure of 277 cartons of unregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs hidden in a warehouse in Ilasa-Oshodi. The drugs, illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group, China, were disguised in cartons labelled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg and falsely declared as spare parts.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health, stressing that the support of the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health has strengthened their resolve to rid the country of counterfeit medicines.
“NAFDAC remains committed to eliminating fake drugs and ensuring that only safe and quality medicines are available to Nigerians,” Adeyeye stated.
She revealed that the operation was part of a wider enforcement campaign across Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, which has so far generated about ₦2.5 billion in fines from offenders. According to her, ₦996 million was spent on enforcement operations, ₦159 million borrowed from a donor grant, and ₦1.18 billion used for regulatory expenses, leaving the agency with ₦207 million.
The nationwide operations, which involved more than 1,300 security personnel, uncovered widespread violations, including expired drugs, unapproved medicines, and unsafe storage practices.
Meanwhile, in Gombe State, NAFDAC launched a sensitisation drive in Billiri Local Government Area following reports of fruits being artificially ripened with calcium carbide.
The state coordinator, James Agada, warned that calcium carbide poses serious health risks, including cancer, heart, kidney, and liver failure. He noted that chemically ripened fruits often appear yellow on the outside but remain unripe inside, sometimes showing powdery residues.
Agada stressed that the agency’s approach was to educate vendors before enforcement, encouraging fruit sellers to adopt safer alternatives like pear and garden egg extracts.
The Chairman of the Fruit Sellers Association in Billiri, Alhaji Murtala Mohammed, applauded the enlightenment exercise and urged his members to shun unsafe practices.
“We are grateful to NAFDAC for this initiative. I strongly warn our members against the use of calcium carbide because of its harmful effects,” he said.
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