The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, expired, and substandard drugs and products worth N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The exercise, which took place on Thursday, October 2, was announced by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade.

According to Adeyeye, the destruction was part of the agency’s mandate to ensure that drugs, food, cosmetics, chemicals, medical devices, packaged water, and beverages circulating in Nigeria are safe and effective for human use.

“The products we destroyed today include expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, Codeine cough syrup, Tramadol, Oxytocin and various types of vaccines. The estimated street value of these products stands at N15 billion,” she said.

The DG explained that eliminating the fake and expired products would prevent them from re-entering the Nigerian market, thereby protecting unsuspecting citizens.

She further appreciated the support of the Police, Nigerian Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, while calling on Nigerians to avoid patronising quacks and illegal medicine sellers.

Also speaking at the event, SK Tijani, representing the Controller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, highlighted the synergy between NAFDAC and the Nigerian Customs Service in tackling the menace of fake and substandard products. He urged all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to keep harmful drugs and products out of circulation.

The move comes as part of NAFDAC’s wider crackdown on counterfeit and unwholesome products in Nigeria — a persistent threat to public health.