NAFDAC intercepts Kano-bound trailer load of fake drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has started mopping up counterfeited products in the market.

This is coming on the heels of a Kano-bound trailer load of counterfeit pharmaceutical products intercepted at Chosen Global Haulage Nigeria Ltd warehouse situated at No. 7A, Otto Causeway, Iddo Motor Park, Oyingbo, Lagos.

The seized products did not have location or address of the manufacturer, except codes on the packs indicating they were purportedly manufactured in Gujurat, India.

The Director General of the agency, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, who disclosed this in Lagos, gave the counterfeited pharmaceuticals as Dr. Relly Extra (Paracetamol, Diclofenac and Caffeine tabs 325mg50mg30mg), Dicloforte 550 (Diclofenac sodium 50mg), Chlorophenamine (Chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg), Kdmotil (Loperamide Hydrochloride tablets, Newdol (Diclofenac sodium capsules 50mg), Bospan and Tramadol 225mg/200mg.

Oni said the managing director of the haulage firm is currently undergoing interrogation and is assisting the agency in its investigation, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

She, however, reassured the public of the agency’s resolve to sustain the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers of NAFDAC regulated products.

According to her, officials of the agency would be directed to move in immediately to recover other products such as Augmentin powder for oral suspension for infants and children, following the confession of a counterfeiter, Mr. Ikechukwu Adiba, arrested in Kano for being in possession of suspected counterfeit packaging materials of Augmentin powder.

The NAFDAC boss also stressed that the agency would partner with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to discourage the hawking of such dangerous products and all aphrodisiac products in their parks.