The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ramped up its enforcement operations against the sale of illicit and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, sealing more than 3,000 shops in the Idumota Open Drug Market, Lagos, within the first week of its crackdown.
Shocking Discoveries in Idumota
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, NAFDAC detailed disturbing violations found during the raid. Among the discoveries were:
- Vaccines stored in deteriorating, unventilated rooms, dangerously enclosed with iron sheets, creating extreme health risks.
- Large stockpiles of banned and hazardous drugs, including Analgin injections, which have been prohibited due to safety concerns.
- Diverted HIV antiretroviral drugs, originally meant for patients but illegally redistributed.
- Expired medicines being re-labelled for resale, posing significant threats to public health.
Strengthening Pharmaceutical Oversight
NAFDAC emphasized its commitment to sanitizing Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector by ensuring that only approved and safe medications reach consumers.
The agency also warned that offenders would face legal consequences, as it intensifies efforts to track and prosecute individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
This enforcement action is part of NAFDAC's broader strategy to eliminate fake, substandard, and life-threatening pharmaceuticals from circulation, reinforcing its role in protecting public health.
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