Posted on: Thu 20-02-2025

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, sealed the popular Idumota drug market in Lagos as part of its nationwide operation to combat the distribution of counterfeit medicines across the country.

The initiative, which began Sunday night, saw the sealing of three major open drug markets—Idumota in Lagos, Bridgehead in Onitsha, and Ariaria in Aba following alarming concerns about the widespread sale of dangerous, ineffective, and potentially life-threatening medications.

Addressing journalists during the operation in Lagos, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye said: “The essence of the operation is to ensure that when we take medicines, they work. When a child is given medicine, that child doesn’t die because there is nothing inside that medicine. “

She said the essence was to control unwholesome products or those not approved.

“We have over 50,000 shops opened in open markets, which is not supposed to be so.”

Speaking, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, emphasised the urgency of the operation.

He stated that these markets serve as the primary distribution hubs for over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s drug needs.

“These markets are not just places of trade; they are places where lives are at stake. Today’s operation aims to ensure that the medicines sold in these markets are not only approved but effective and safe for use.”

The operation, which involved military personnel, the police, and representatives from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, targeted the substantial stock of counterfeit and unapproved medical products flooding the Nigerian market.

Corroborating the views of the Director General, he said: “The goal is to remove these harmful products and protect consumers from potentially deadly treatments.”

Mohammed stressed the importance of controlling the sale of medicines in the country, saying, “The essence of this operation is to ensure that when we take medicine, the medicine works. If a child is given medicine, it should not lead to death because there is nothing inside that medicine.”

This initiative follows numerous reports of deaths linked to substandard drugs in the country, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and those suffering from chronic conditions like hypertension.

“If you are taking medicine for hypertension, that medicine should regulate your blood pressure and not kill you. But bad medicine will not only fail to help, it will harm. And many have already died because of this.”

He said the operation was part of NAFDAC’s broader effort to regulate the sale of medicines, and “is also focused on closing down illegal open drug markets.”

According to Mohammed, these markets are not in line with the country’s regulations, which mandate that pharmaceutical products should be sold only in Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs)—well-regulated spaces designed to ensure the safety and legitimacy of medicines.

“We’re going to get there in Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha, but before we do, we must take immediate action to protect the lives of our people,” he said.

Mohammed called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious medicines to NAFDAC. “If the medicine you are using is not making you well reach out to NAFDAC. Get a receipt, take a sample, and we will trace it.”

He posited that counterfeit drugs were responsible for numerous deaths across the country and that NAFDAC is determined to hold those responsible for distributing these dangerous products accountable.

“Enough is enough,” Mohammed stated.

“It’s time to take action and prevent further loss of life. Our people matter and we must protect them from the threat of bad medicine.”

Speaking to journalists on the ongoing NAFDAC operations, the Chairman of the Lagos State Medicines Association, Mr. Innocent Ezennaya, said the operations were aimed at eliminating counterfeit drugs from their environment.

Ezennaya explained that while these periodic inspections by NAFDAC are a routine part of ensuring the integrity of the market, the current operation is far more comprehensive and serious.

He noted that the closure of shops is not necessarily a result of discovering fake drugs, but part of a systematic process to thoroughly check each store.

“The shops are being closed one after the other so NAFDAC can ensure that every single shop is visited and inspected. If they find anything irregular, they take it, but if they don’t find anything, they will continue with their work. At the end of the exercise, only shops that comply with the regulations will be allowed to reopen,” Ezennaya clarified.

Despite the disruptions caused by the operation, Ezennaya highlighted that the association’s internal mechanisms, including an internal task force, work continuously to monitor and report suspicious or unwholesome products to NAFDAC.

“We have a task force that goes around our members’ shops to check the products regularly, and when we find any issues, we immediately involve NAFDAC. We have documented instances where we reported unapproved drugs to NAFDAC,” he said.

Ezennaya also acknowledged that the crackdown, though essential, could have significant economic consequences for businesses and the healthcare sector

“If the markets are closed for just one week, some hospitals and health facilities may run out of essential medicines. This place is a major supplier of genuine drugs for hospitals and pharmacies,” he added.

He also urged NAFDAC to expedite the process, understanding that prolonged closures could negatively impact sales and medical supplies across the region.

“We understand that the process must be thorough, but we hope they will move quickly because the longer it takes, the more it will hurt both businesses and health facilities that rely on these products.”

While Ezennaya expressed full support for NAFDAC’s efforts to eliminate counterfeit medicines, he pointed out that the real challenge lies in preventing illegal drugs from entering the country in the first place.

He identified the ports and airports as key areas of concern, saying that many counterfeit drugs enter the country through these channels despite efforts to control them. “Some of these unregistered drugs come into the nation through our borders, airports, and seaports. This is where we need more control. Without blocking the source, our efforts will continue to be undermined,” he said.

The Lagos Medicine Association leader also provided insight into the nature of the counterfeit drugs being seized. “Some of the products confiscated have been found to violate NAFDAC’s regulations, like the use of unauthorised pictures on the packaging. NAFDAC is working to enforce compliance and remove these non-compliant products from circulation.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

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