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Customs Hands Over N3.7bn Worth of Expired Drugs to NAFDAC
Customs Hands Over N3.7bn Worth of Expired Drugs to NAFDAC
Lagos – The Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) of the Nigeria Customs Service has transferred three truckloads of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N3.7 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for proper disposal.
The handover took place during a courtesy visit by NAFDAC’s new Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, to the FOU A headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who announced the transfer, described the action as part of ongoing efforts to implement the memorandum of understanding between the two agencies in combating counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products.
“What we are witnessing today is a follow-up of the MoU,” Shuaibu told journalists. “This emphasizes the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to continuously prevent the smuggling and importation of these harmful consignments.”
The seized pharmaceuticals, packed in sacks and cartons, include various brands of expired medications such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codeine Syrup, Really Extra, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra. The Duty Paid Value of the confiscated items stands at N3,779,500,000.
Shuaibu emphasized the serious public health risks posed by expired medications. “Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness. The potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be understated,” he warned.
The Comptroller assured Nigerians that the Customs Service remains committed to preventing expired and counterfeit drugs from entering the market, adding that more seized products would be transferred to NAFDAC as ongoing investigations conclude.
Receiving the consignments on behalf of NAFDAC’s Director General, Dr. Iluyomade commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its commitment to implementing the inter-agency agreement.
He described the collaboration as a “healthy and strategic partnership” and pledged that NAFDAC would intensify its efforts in the fight against counterfeit and fake pharmaceutical smuggling.
“This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population,” Shuaibu concluded.
The handover represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against dangerous pharmaceutical products that threaten public health and safety.
This report was based on a press statement by Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of FOU A.