The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products estimated at N2bn in Kaduna State.
The exercise took place on Thursday at the Gonin Gora dumpsite, where large quantities of counterfeit Pregabalin capsules intercepted before reaching the market were destroyed.
Speaking during the operation, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, said the action demonstrated the agency’s commitment to combating fake and substandard medicines across the country.
According to him, the seized Pregabalin capsules were counterfeit versions falsely packaged as approved products, despite the genuine medicine already being registered by NAFDAC.
Iluyomade explained that Pregabalin is a controlled medication mainly used for neurological conditions and warned counterfeiters that the agency would not tolerate illegal drug activities.
He disclosed that the fake drugs were intercepted through intelligence sharing and joint operations involving NAFDAC, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Nigeria Customs Service. The products were reportedly smuggled into Nigeria through Kano airport.
NAFDAC said enforcement officers seized 503 cartons containing about 11 million doses of Pregabalin Capsules IP 300mg within two months.
“The products will not return to circulation because protecting the health of Nigerians remains our priority,” Iluyomade stated.
He further noted that counterfeiters now use sophisticated methods to imitate registered medicines, making fake products appear genuine.
Also speaking, NAFDAC’s North-West Zonal Director, Dadi-Mullah Natim, said the agency regularly inspects manufacturing and distribution channels to ensure compliance with safety standards.
He advised Nigerians to purchase medicines only from authorised sources and always demand receipts for proper traceability.
The agency has recently intensified enforcement efforts nationwide to curb the spread of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products.
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