The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted over 10 million doses of counterfeit malaria medicines and cosmetic products valued at about N3 billion at the Trade Fair Market in Lagos. The seizure was announced by Dr. Martin Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, during a media briefing held in Apapa.
Dr. Iluyomade, who also chairs the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, said the operation was triggered by credible intelligence received on February 3. “During the raid, we discovered fake anti-malaria drugs and injections commonly used for cerebral malaria, antibiotics, Postinor, and Analgin, an analgesic banned in Nigeria for almost 15 years,” he stated. Authorities revealed that eight truckloads of the counterfeit products were removed from a three-storey building cleverly disguised as a spare parts warehouse.
The operation underscores NAFDAC’s continued vigilance against the distribution of fake and potentially dangerous medicines and cosmetics in the country. Dr. Iluyomade warned the public to remain cautious and purchase drugs and cosmetic products only from licensed and reputable outlets, emphasizing that counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks, including treatment failure and death. NAFDAC has vowed to sustain intelligence-led operations to curb the proliferation of fake drugs and unwholesome products across Nigeria.
