The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said its ongoing enforcement operations were aimed at protecting Nigerians, not to disrupt trade.
“What we are doing in Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha should not be politicised. We are protecting lives, not destroying trade. We cannot prioritise trade over human lives. These operations will continue to ensure public safety,” NAFDAc boss, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, told journalists on Saturday in Lagos.
He also urged against politicising the agency’s operations in statement obviously aimed at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party who had earlier in the week accused NAFDAC of disrupting trade and businesses in Onitsha with ongoing nationwide enforcement operation targeting Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha open drug markets to eliminate fake and substandard pharmaceutical products.
Obi had also accused NAFDAC of putting businesses in jeopardy by closing sections of Onitsha bridge market not involved in trade in medicine. NAFDAC had earlier indicated that it uncovered prohibited drugs hidden inside PLUMBING MATERIALS SHOPS at the Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market.
NAFDA officials seized two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs concealed within the shops.
Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC supports trade and has a dedicated trade and international relations office, but not at the expense of Nigerian lives.
Drugs such as Tafrodol, Tramadol, and Anagin, which are banned and unregistered in Nigeria, were discovered in sealed warehouses and shops.
She revealed that antiretroviral drugs donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for HIV patients were found at Idumota market, alongside expired condoms.
“Vaccines were stored in unventilated buildings instead of refrigerators, and expired Amlodipine for blood pressure was being revalidated for sale.
“Vaccines not meant for storage outside refrigerators were found. Controlled substances and condoms due for destruction since 2022 were also discovered,” she said.
She added that Anagin, banned before her tenure as Director-General, along with many fake and substandard drugs, was seized.
“Two trucks brought by dealers to evacuate medicines from Idumota market at midnight were also confiscated,” she said.
Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC is understaffed and urged the government to employ more qualified personnel to enhance its operations.
She emphasised the need for more staff at Nigeria’s entry points to strengthen surveillance and prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the country. (NAN)