Rita Odafe
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has detained 12 individuals suspected of dealing counterfeit medications at the Onitsha Bridgehead drug market, also referred to as ‘Ogbo Ogwu.’
These arrests occurred early in the morning as the suspects were reportedly trying to dispose of unregistered medications from their shops during an ongoing inspection by NAFDAC officials intended to cleanse the market of unsafe drugs.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, briefed reporters on Friday about the mop-up operation aimed at eradicating fake and expired medications from the market. The agency has also seized over ten truckloads containing counterfeit drugs since the crackdown began.
Iluyomade noted that the operation, which started on a Monday, has revealed a significant quantity of harmful and expired medications worth billions of naira from various vendors in the market.
According to NAFDAC, this market has been identified as a center for the repackaging of expired drugs, which were sold with misleading claims to unsuspecting buyers.
The confiscated drugs are currently being transported to NAFDAC’s facility for further examination and destruction. Iluyomade requested an extension for the operation, stating that the current three-week timeframe is insufficient to fully resolve the issues present in the market.
He expressed concern for consumers relying on these medications for their health, stating that many may worsen their conditions as a result of purchasing such subpar products. Iluyomade said, “Today marks the fifth day of our enforcement; we have seized numerous truckloads of fake and inferior drugs, some fraudulently labeled as approved by NAFDAC.”
They utilized detection equipment to identify these fraudulent claims, uncovering various harmful products in the process.
“The confiscation of these items aims to prevent their return to the market and demonstrates our commitment to public health,” he added.
Iluyomade mentioned that some dealers were found with equipment to modify packaging and expiration dates, which were also seized during the operation. This investigation followed extensive intelligence gathering on the issue of counterfeit medications in the area.
The operation also led to arrests of individuals who attempted to disrupt the cleanup efforts, with bribes totaling N135 million offered to NAFDAC officials to cease the operation.
The ongoing crackdown is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) along with security forces and market leaders, emphasizing the importance of combating the spread of counterfeit medications in Nigeria.
Iluyomade highlighted that possession of counterfeit drugs carries severe penalties in other countries, unlike in Nigeria, where the consequences may be more lenient.
To address this, NAFDAC is reviewing its laws to impose harsher sanctions on those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of harmful pharmaceutical products.
“More than 90 percent of the shops inspected so far have been found selling fake or substandard medications. Should the details of our findings be revealed, the market would likely face closure,” he stated.
During the operation, they have removed an estimated ten fully loaded trucks of counterfeit drugs, with ongoing efforts to identify and destroy more harmful products.
Iluyomade reiterated their determination to cleanse the market effectively, despite attempts from traders to bribe officials to protect their interests.
He clarified that while some shops received positive evaluations for compliance, these are the minority, and those shops are now advocates for proper practices in the market.
As for the time required to carry out the operation, an extension has been requested to ensure thoroughness in addressing all counterfeit and unregistered medications present in the Ogbogwu market.
One trader, Chukwudi Ikem, who was cleared, shared his change in perspective, stating, “Initially, I believed this operation targeted certain individuals unfairly, but now I see its positive intent.”
He acknowledged his past involvement with counterfeit drugs but expressed relief and gratitude for being given a clean slate today, emphasizing the importance of avoiding fake drugs for the sake of public health.
Ikem called on NAFDAC to reconsider strict policies against unregistered, yet legitimate medications, while urging fellow traders to refrain from offering counterfeit goods.
