NAFDAC intercepts unregistered pharmaceutical products in Lagos
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted a 40 feet trailer transporting assorted suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products to an unknown destination in Lagos.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the consignment was intercepted on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, following a tip off from concerned citizens.
She said on receiving the information about the trailer, operatives of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC mounted a six-hour surveillance and intercepted the said trailer at Oshodi enroute Mushin.
NAFDAC boss said while trying to move the intercepted trailer to NAFDAC warehouse, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Police Force came into the scene to lend a helping hand, adding that the trailer was eventually moved to the Area D Command, Mushin.
She said after a joint examination by operatives of NAFDAC, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force, the following products were found in the intercepted trailer: Barcadin with Codeine (cough syrup) – 588ctns x 200 bottles x 100ml with Batch no. OHLC-08, OHLC-09, OHLC-10, OHLC-11, OHLC-12, manufacturing date: September 2018 and Expiring date: August 2021
Feed Fine (Cyproheptadine caplet) – 44ctns x 24 rolls x 10 pks x 3 blisters x10 caplets, Batch no. MP8212, MP8213, MP8214, MP8215, MP8216, MP8217, MP8219, MP8220, manufactured on July 2018 and to expire on June 2022.
Really Extra (Diclofenac sodium tab) – 190 cartons x 100 boxes x 10 packets x 1×10 caplets, Batch No. AB80003, manufacturing date: October 2018 and to expire September 2021 and Afrodic (Diclofenac sodium cap) – 207 cartons x 100 boxes x 10 packs x 1×10 caplets with Batch No. AF004, AF006, manufactured on March 2018 and to expire February 2021.
She disclosed that one Mr. Luke Mba ‘M’ of No 9 Ehi Street, Ijesa, Lagos who accompanied the trailer and claimed to be the importer was arrested along with the driver.
Initial investigation, Prof. Adeyeye said, “suggests that the unregistered products were manufactured and/or imported from India into Nigeria through the Seme land border and allegedly Onitsha, Anambra state bound. The Agency has resolved to prosecute the suspect in this matter when the police hand him over to us.”
She added: “It is of note that the Federal Government announced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine after investigation into its addiction epidemic. We appeal to members of the public as part of their civic responsibility to report any incidence of counterfeiting and adulteration of foods, drugs, cosmetic, medical devices, chemical and packaged water to NAFDAC for prompt regulatory and legal action.”
NAFDAC boss thanked everyone that has partnered with NAFDAC pointing out that “We still enlist your support in our quest to eradicate the incidence of Substandard/Spurious/Falsely Labelled/Falsified (SSF) Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food and other regulated products.”
