The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and expired pharmaceutical products valued at ₦20 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The exercise, carried out by the agency’s Southwest Zonal Office, forms part of NAFDAC’s continuous effort to safeguard public health and prevent unsafe and falsified medical products from re-entering circulation.

Speaking during the destruction exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to eliminate fake drugs, unsafe food, and hazardous chemicals from the Nigerian market.

Represented by Mrs. Florence Uba, Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement), Adeyeye said:

“The products destroyed today include substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed foods and additives, unsafe cosmetics, counterfeits, and other expired NAFDAC-regulated products seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.”

She disclosed that some of the destroyed items were voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, NGOs, and trade unions, adding that their estimated street value stood at ₦20 billion.

Adeyeye commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its collaboration in the anti-counterfeiting drive, noting that the service had handed over 25 containers of seized pharmaceutical products for destruction, including a reefer container.

She also expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their consistent support.

The NAFDAC boss urged Nigerians to avoid patronising quacks and unlicensed drug dealers, stressing that combating fake and substandard drugs requires collective action.

“Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. Together, we can ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” she said.