By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired, and substandard medical products valued at ₦4.7 billion in Rivers State. The incineration took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Authority (RIWAMA) Dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate harmful and counterfeit medical products in the South-South region.
The operation to gather contraband drugs and other unwholesome health materials began on Thursday and involved the transport of these items to the dumpsite for destruction.
During the event, Chukwuemeka Oligbu, the South-South Director of NAFDAC, who represented the agency’s Director-General, reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety. “The products being destroyed during this exercise include substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits, and other expired NAFDAC-regulated items seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors,” he explained. He noted that damaged and expired products voluntarily surrendered by compliant companies, non-governmental organizations, the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN), and trade unions were also included in the destruction.
Oligbu urged the public to report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities and unsafe products to NAFDAC, stressing the importance of collaboration between the agency and various stakeholders, including pharmacists, law enforcement, and industry players.
