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Tag: NAFDAC

  • “₦500B Worth of Goods Seized”: Onitsha Traders Drag NAFDAC, SON To Court Over “Unlawful” Market Raid

    “₦500B Worth of Goods Seized”: Onitsha Traders Drag NAFDAC, SON To Court Over “Unlawful” Market Raid

    Four major traders from the Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have filed a lawsuit against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and other related bodies for infringing on their fundamental human rights.

    The traders—Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu—are also members of the United Nigeria Group. They are challenging what they describe as unlawful actions by NAFDAC, which they claim involved unjustly disrupting their businesses.

    Represented by their lawyer, Chibuike Nwabueze, the traders are seeking legal relief from the Federal High Court sitting in Awka. The traders argue that not all market vendors are selling counterfeit drugs, as accused by NAFDAC. Their legal action, identified as suit No PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, includes requests for several injunctions.

    Among the demands is a court order to prevent further break-ins of their shops by NAFDAC officials, police, and other security operatives, without a valid court order or search warrant. The traders are also seeking the return of goods that were confiscated during the raids.

    In addition, they are asking the court to grant them N50 million in exemplary damages and another N50 million in general damages due to the disruptions and financial losses caused by NAFDAC’s actions.

    Before taking the matter to court, the traders had held a press conference to condemn the “sudden invasion and sealing” of the market by NAFDAC. They described the raid as “barbaric” and a violation of their rights. According to the traders, they have incurred losses of over N200 million since the market’s closure, which has left many without a source of income.

    The traders further allege that NAFDAC’s operatives, accompanied by military, police, and security personnel, carted away goods worth up to N500 billion during the market sealing, further escalating the damage to their livelihoods.

  • My life is under threat – NAFDAC DG cries out

    My life is under threat – NAFDAC DG cries out

    The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised the alarm over threats to her life and the safety of agency staff, calling on authorities to protect them as they navigate hazardous conditions while discharging their duties.

    She also advocated for the death penalty for those involved in the production and sale of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.

    Speaking at a State House briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had recently seized illicit drugs worth over N1 trillion in an ongoing crackdown against substandard and fake pharmaceutical products.

    The NAFDAC boss revealed that the agency’s intensified enforcement efforts had resulted in the seizure of 87 truckloads of banned, expired, and substandard medical products. Among the confiscated items were USAID- and UNFPA-donated antiretroviral drugs, male and female condoms, and other compromised medical supplies.

    She described the large-scale operation, which targeted Nigeria’s three major open drug markets, as the biggest in NAFDAC’s history. The operation was executed in:

    Ariaria and Eziukwu Markets (Aba, Abia State)

    Bridge Head Market (Onitsha, Anambra State)

    Idumota Drug Market (Lagos State)

    Prof. Adeyeye estimated that the value of the seized items was at least N1 trillion, but noted that further assessment could reveal a higher figure.

    The NAFDAC DG recounted how staff members had faced kidnapping attempts and physical threats due to their work.

    “I told you about the attempted murder about six months ago. One of our staff members in Kano had his child kidnapped because he was doing his job. Fortunately, the child escaped,” she revealed.

    “For me, I have two policemen living in my house 24/7 in Abuja and Lagos. I don’t have a life. I can’t go anywhere without police escorts. That’s not my way of living, but I don’t have a choice because we must save our country. Nonetheless, I also use common sense.”

    Akunyili’s Legacy and the Battle Against Fake Drugs

    The threats facing Prof. Adeyeye mirror those encountered by Prof. Dora Akunyili, who led NAFDAC from 2001 to 2009 and became a target of drug cartels due to her relentless fight against counterfeit drugs.

    Akunyili’s motivation stemmed from the death of her sister, who died after receiving fake insulin. Her campaigns led to the closure of open-air drug markets and the confiscation of fake drugs, drawing numerous threats and even an assassination attempt in 2003.

    Like Akunyili, Prof. Adeyeye remains determined to eradicate the fake drug menace despite the dangers involved.

    Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the need for stricter punishments, including the death penalty, for those endangering lives through fake drugs.

    She urged the Nigerian government to implement stronger laws to curb the life-threatening trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

    NAFDAC continues to intensify its enforcement actions nationwide, with the goal of protecting public health and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.

  • NAFDAC warns against use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits

    NAFDAC warns against use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned fruit dealers and sellers against using calcium carbide on fruit ripening for commercial purposes.

    The warning was made by the NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto state, Mr Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign at fruits market on Monday in Sokoto.

    Lawal urged fruit dealers and sellers to stop the dangerous practice, which he noted was  harmful, stressing that it posed serious risks to public health.

    He warned that the use of calcium carbide could lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and even terminal diseases.

    ”With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, using calcium carbide to hasten the fruits ripening is hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.

    He explained that only welders were permitted to use calcium carbide for tasks such as melting iron, and that NAFDAC would increase surveillance to ensure that it’s being used properly and not sold to fruit vendors.

    He said fruits such as mango, banana, pawpaw, water melon and others were mostly ripened  with calcium carbide in the areas.

    Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, advised fellow sellers to adopt hygienic methods at all times.

    He warned that violators of this process would face penalties.

    Danda demonstrated how mangoes, bananas, and watermelons could be ripened safely in commercial quantities without posing harm to consumers.

    He noted that fruits market was widely patronised by people from all parts of Nigeria as well as neighbouring countries.

    The ongoing  awareness exercise commenced  from Feb. 18  and the  NAFDAC team has  held discussions with marketers at various locations on  related issues.

  • NAFDAC evacuates 140 tonnes of expired, unregistered drugs

    NAFDAC evacuates 140 tonnes of expired, unregistered drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has evacuated 140 tonnes of expired and unregistered drugs from Aba to its office in Anambra.

    Mr Omoyeni Babatunji, the Deputy Director in charge of Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC Federal Taskforce, South South and South East states disclosed this on Saturday.

    Babatunji, while briefing newsmen about the agency’s operations in Aba, said more than 178 drug samples drawn from the operation would be subjected to laboratory investigation.

    He said the 140 tonnes of expired drugs were evacuated from a warehouse in Umummeje, Umuocheala in Osisioma Local Government Area, which excludes products from the Ariaria International Market drug shops.

    Babatunji told newsmen that two warehouses located on No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road, formerly Faulk’s Road, Aba, filled with expired drugs had also been uncovered.

    He said NAFDAC staff found that the suspects took away some cartons of the expired but re-labelled drugs after they uncovered the place and went to bring in  security.

    The NAFDAC deputy director who took newsmen round the two freshly uncovered warehouses of expired products, said the evacuation of the drugs in them would start on Saturday evening.

    He noted that recent discoveries of expired products being re-labelled and sent to markets has renewed the urgent call for a drug warehouse Wholesale Control Centre (CWC) in Aba.

    He said “this activity is a drive toward the achievement of Wholesale Control Centres (CWCs), as NAFDAC is now on ML3 or what we call Maturity Level 3 of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    “All these our activities are derived from global benchmarking tools for regulatory activities and coordinated warehouse system is part of it so we can regulate and control those drugs.

    “And NAFDAC has been engaging state governors of Abia and Anambra, where those centres are located, pushing for the establishment of the CWC warehouse system.”

    Mr Luis Madubuata, another Deputy Director, NAFDAC, said the discovery
    of stockpiles of expired products in Aba was horrifying and worrisome.

    He said “we actually got here because of the collaborative operation that is going on in Aba between NAFDAC and security agencies.

    “So through intelligence, we got to know that there is another place here where these expired products are being re-labelled and sent to the market.

    “For now, no arrest has been made because when we came in, evidently, we saw that people just vacated the house with their refrigerator and other electronic gadgets still switched on.”

    Madubuata, however, expressed the hope that the police would apprehend the suspects and make them to face the law.

    He thanked Abia governor, Dr Alex Otti’s government, noting that NAFDAC’s work in Aba had progressed with no disturbances because the government had supported it immensely.

  • NAFDAC warns Nigerian youths against illicit drugs

    NAFDAC warns Nigerian youths against illicit drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerian youths to stay away from illicit drugs.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued the warning at the inauguration of the NAFDAC Catch-Them-Young Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) at Government College, Bida, on Thursday.

    Adeyeye stressed that drug abuse posed significant risks to the health and future of the youth.

    The event had the theme, ‘Your Future Counts: Say No to Illicit Drugs and Yes to Life.’”

    The NAFDAC Catch-Them-Young Programme is aimed at reducing drug abuse among secondary school students through education and awareness campaigns.

    Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs Harirah Abdullahi, highlighted that illicit drugs were a major public health concern, leading to addiction, mental health issues, and even death.

    She explained that both legal and illicit drugs could lead to addiction and emphasised the importance of honest conversations with students to help them make informed decisions.

    She added the programme also focused on the consequences of drug abuse, such as drug dependence, poor judgment, and impaired driving.

    Adeyeye encouraged students to resist peer pressure, avoid drug abuse, and seek professional help if necessary.

    She also emphasised the role of teachers in identifying behavioural problems and collaborating with parents and guardians in the fight against drug abuse.

    In his remarks, Malam Mohammed Danjuma, Principal of Government College, Bida, urged the students to take the information on drug abuse seriously, noting that drug abuse was a global problem.

    The NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) was re-established at the school, with 198 students inaugurated as members.

  • Fake drugs: NAFDAC takes over Ariaria drug market in Aba

    Fake drugs: NAFDAC takes over Ariaria drug market in Aba

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Monday, took over the Ariaria International Market, Aba, after uncovering huge quantities of unregistered and banned drugs.

    Mr Omoyeni Babatunde, the NAFDAC Deputy Director in charge of Enforcement and Federal Task Force, South-South/South-East, announced the take over in an interview with newsmen during the enforcement.

    Babatunde said that the agency confiscated the unregistered and banned medicines at the Patent Medicine Section of the market.

    He said: “Today, people are not in the market, we have taken over and we have been working from shop to shop but no arrest made yet,” he said.

    Some of the items uncovered in one of the shops included a substance suspected to be the dreaded Crystal Methamphetamine (Mkpuru Mmiri).

    The substance was wrapped like cigarette with foils, bearing Epsom Salt, and hidden away in small cartons with Epsom Salt labels and packed behind doors.

    “We have been here at Ariaria since morning and press men have covered practically everything we have done here.

    “What we have seen here is mind-boggling.

    “We have seen Analgin Injection, Gentamicin 280mg all of which have long been banned by the agency,” he said.

    Babatunde also said that some of the confiscated drugs had no NAFDAC registration number, hence not supposed to be sold in patent medicine shops.

    He said the enforcement in the market was a national assignment coordinated by the NAFDAC Zonal Director, Mr Martins Iluyomade.

    He said the scope of the assignment at Ariaria was to uncover unregistered products in the market.

    Babatunde said that the assignment in Aba area was segmented into three locations and being executed simultaneously.

    He also said the screening was the result of intelligence from inter-agency collaboration, involving the Department of State Service, Police, Nigerian Army, and NAFDAC.

    He said that any product in the market without NAFDAC number had not passed through NAFDAC’s processes and not qualified to be on sale.

    “If you go through NAFDAC’S mandate critically, you will see that the agency is empowered to enter any premises by force, if need be, when we reasonably suspect contravention of NAFDAC statutory regulations.

    “We have to screen the entire shops because that is the scope we were given and we are being meticulous about it.

    “So, one shop after the other, we are going to carry out the operation to the letter,” he said.

    He said that the agency could only attach figures to the confiscated medicines at the end of the enforcement.

  • NAFDAC says about 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs

    NAFDAC says about 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that about 14.3 million or  Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.

    Adeyeye stated this at the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth programme, tagged, ‘’Catch Them Young,’’  held at the Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

    According to her, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences.

    She said that the arrest included 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shop lifting.

    “Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on hands,’’ she said.

    Adeyeye, however, noted the negative effects of drug abuse on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development.

    She explained that the situation caused NAFDAC to initiate a comprehensive, coordinated, and  intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.

    According to the DG, drug addiction can rise from both legal such as prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.

    “This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you.

    “This will help you to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption,’’ she said.

    Speaking earlier, Mr Onogwu Emmanuel, State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Rivers, Mr Onogwu Emmanuel, stated the reason behind the sensitisation and capacity building programme being moved to secondary schools.

    He explained that the secondary students were most vulnerable, adding that the youths, as the future leaders, should actively participate in preventing drug abuse.

    He, however, said that two sch00ls were selected from each of the three senatorial zones of the state for the pilot phase of the project.

    In her remark, the Principal of the school, Gladys Iheumamme commended NAFDAC for the project and urged it to sustain it in order to save the future of the NIgerian youth.

  • Why we closed popular Chinese supermarket in Abuja – NAFDAC

    Why we closed popular Chinese supermarket in Abuja – NAFDAC

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have sealed a Chinese supermarket located at Azba Mall, 2 Durban Street, Wuse 2 Abuja, for selling expired goods and labelling their goods in Chinese language without proper notification.

    The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, while speaking with newsmen said NAFDAC got ‘credible information’ about the supermarket.

    He revealed that the information disclosed that all the items at the supermarket were labelled in Chinese language which he said violates NAFDAC regulations.

    Mohammed, who is also the Chairman, Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods with the agency, said upon receiving the information, NAFDAC swung into action.

    He further assured the public that the agency would investigate why over 90 per cent of the goods in the supermarket were labelled in a foreign language and how they got into the country.

    Quoting Mohammed, “The supermarket was sealed for violating NAFDAC regulations, investigation will surely go on about this supermarket, and we will also need to go to its warehouse in order to stop them from selling some products.

    “The whole information about this supermarket just go to us, if we had known the information from the beginning, we would have taken regulatory action we just took against it now.

    “Selling items in foreign language in a country is a violation of our law; if you must sell anything either in Arabic, Chinese and French, you must have English translation of it.

    “More than 90 per cent of the goods sold in the supermarket are in Chinese language. You might find some Nigerians patronizing the supermarket; they should be able to read about some of the items on the shelves.

    “Some of these items have also expired. Even if they are giving global listing to import, they ought to be in English language. This supermarket cannot present to NAFDAC a document through which the items were approved in foreign language.

    “This is not acceptable and that is why we have to seal the supermarket, we will invite the owner for further investigation before we can conclude on the case.”

    The Director further asserted that the supermarket might have bypassed NAFDAC in the process of bringing some of the goods into the country. Adding that if the supermarket is found culpable of violating NAFDAC regulations, punishable action would be taken against it.

    “It is not every case we charge to court; we will take regulatory action against the supermarket, which may be an administrative action. Before any certification is given by NAFDAC, it would have visited the site/shop for goods storage and distribution practice.

    “NAFDAC, upon its visit, will ensure that the facilities are in accordance with NAFDAC regulations,” he asserted. The agency will not see all these items at the port with every description in foreign language and allow them in; they would have been intercepted immediately,” he added.

  • NAFDAC seals Chinese supermarket in Abuja

    NAFDAC seals Chinese supermarket in Abuja

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Monday in Abuja, sealed a Chinese supermarket for allegedly selling goods labelled in Chinese language without its proper notification.

    The supermarket is situated at Azba Mall, 2 Durban Street, Wuse 2, Abuja. Speaking with newsmen after the exercise, NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, said that the agency got ‘credible information’ about the supermarket.

    He said that the information was that all the items being sold at the supermarket were labelled in Chinese language, a situation which, he said, violated NAFDAC regulations.

    Mohammed, also the Chairman, Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods with the agency, said upon getting the information, NAFDAC quickly swung into action to find out the situation of things.

    He said that the agency would carry out investigation on why the over 90 per cent of the goods in the supermarket were labelled in foreign language and how they got into the country.

    The director also said that some of the affected goods had expired and that they were still on the supermarket’s shelves.

    “The supermarket was sealed for violating NAFDAC regulations; investigation will surely go on about this supermarket; we will also need to go to its warehouse in order to stop them from selling some products.

    “The whole information about this supermarket just go to us; if we had know the information from the beginning, we would have taken regulatory action we just took against it now.

    “Selling items in foreign language in a country is a violation of our law; if you must sell anything either in Arabic, Chinese and French, you must have English translation of it.

    “More than 90 per cent of the goods sold in the supermarket are in Chinese language. You might find some Nigerians patronising the supermarket; they should be able to read about some of the items on the shelves.

    “Some of these items have also expired. Even if they are giving global listing to import, they ought to be in English language.

    “This supermarket cannot present to NAFDAC a document through which the items were approved in foreign language.

    “This is not acceptable and that is why we have to seal the supermarket; we will invite the owner for further investigation before we can conclude on the case,” he said.

    The director said that if the supermarket was found culpable of violating NAFDAC regulations, punishable action would be taken against it.

    “It is not every case we charge to court; we will take regulatory action against the supermarket, which may be an administrative action.

    “Before any certification is given by NAFDAC, it would have visited the site/shop for goods storage and distribution practice.

    “NAFDAC, upon its visit, will ensure that the facilities are in accordance with NAFDAC regulations,” he said.

    Mohammed also stated that the supermarket might have bypassed NAFDAC in the process of bringing some of the goods into the country.

    “NAFDAC will not see all these items at the port with every description in foreign language and allow them in; they would have been intercepted immediately,” he said.

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake cancer treatment drugs

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake cancer treatment drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians, including healthcare providers, about a counterfeit cancer treatment drug, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml, labelled with batch number C5290S20.

    This notification is outlined in a public alert (No. 051/2024) available on the agency’s website.

    NAFDAC reported that the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), Roche, received a complaint from a doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) regarding the suspected counterfeit product.

    The Phesgo 600mg/600mg, labelled with batch number C5290S20, was reported to have been brought in by a patient for administration.

    The agency disclosed that, at the time of the report the product had not been administered, but it matched the characteristics of a previously reported counterfeit batch, C3809C51.

    “Although no physical sample was returned to Roche for investigation, images of parts of the product specifically, a Phesgo 600mg/600mg vial and a 10ml folding box were examined.

    “The suspected product’s images were compared to genuine samples retained by Roche.

    “Roche’s investigation identified several significant differences between the complaint sample and genuine materials, confirming the counterfeit status of the batch.

    “These included: no batch number in the MAH database, discrepancies in language, missing basilisk, incorrect bollino date, and tamper evidence labels that did not match genuine Roche materials.

    “Since no physical sample was available for chemical analysis, the investigation was limited to visual comparisons,” it said.

    NAFDAC explained that Phesgo 600mg/600mg Solution for Injection is used to treat breast cancer, as it works by killing cancer cells and preventing their further growth.

    The agency emphasised that illegal marketing of counterfeit medicines was a serious health risk, as these products might not comply with regulatory standards and could undermine safety, quality, and effectiveness.

    The agency had instructed all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and remove counterfeit products from their zones and states.

    NAFDAC also advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to be cautious and vigilant throughout the supply chain, avoiding the importation, distribution, and sale of counterfeit products.

    It emphasised that medical products should only be obtained from authorised and licensed suppliers, with careful checks on their authenticity and physical condition.

    “Healthcare professionals and consumers are urged to report any suspicions of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    “Reports can also be made through NAFDAC’s contact number (0800-162-3322) or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

    “Additionally, healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices.

    “NAFDAC provides e-reporting platforms on its website (www.nafdac.gov.ng) and through the Med-Safety app, available for download on Android and iOS devices.”

    The agency said adverse effects could also be reported via email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

    NAFDAC said the product notification would also be uploaded to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).”