The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) launched an enforcement operation on Monday at the popular Ogbo-Ogu Market in Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Led by the Director of NAFDAC’s South-East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the operation resulted in the seizure of various adulterated, substandard, and expired drugs found in multiple shops.
Speaking to journalists, Iluyomade emphasized that the exercise aligns with NAFDAC’s mission to eliminate fake and banned products from circulation, protecting unsuspecting consumers. He revealed that intelligence gathering had uncovered large-scale repackaging of counterfeit drugs in the market.
“This enforcement aims to rid the market of falsified, substandard, and harmful medicinal products, as well as other unsafe regulated items,” he stated, adding that similar operations were being conducted simultaneously across South-East states.
Among the confiscated items were counterfeit antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal remedies, and psychoactive drugs, along with banned substances like tramadol (above 100mg), codeine, and certain vaccines. Fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, chemicals, and food products were also discovered.
Iluyomade urged the public to purchase medicines only from licensed and registered outlets, assuring that NAFDAC, alongside security agencies and market stakeholders, would continue monitoring compliance.
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