NAFDAC Discovers 10 Million Fake Malaria Drugs and N3 Billion in Counterfeit Cosmetics in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated over 10 million doses of fake malaria medications and cosmetic items valued at nearly N3 billion from the Trade Fair Market located in Lagos.

This information was shared by Dr. Martin Iluyomade, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, during a recent press conference in Apapa.

Dr. Iluyomade, who is also the head of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, explained that this operation was launched after receiving credible intelligence on February 3.

Among the seized products were counterfeit anti-malaria drugs, injections for cerebral malaria, antibiotics, Postinor, and Analgin, which has been banned in Nigeria for almost 15 years, alongside various other items.

According to him, eight truckloads of these fraudulent drugs and cosmetics were removed from a three-story building that appeared to be a spare parts warehouse.

Four individuals have been arrested in connection with this operation, with further investigations still underway. Iluyomade referred to this seizure as one of the agency's significant accomplishments recently.

He pointed out that counterfeiters are increasingly hiding drugs in unconventional places, making them harder to detect.

Iluyomade also mentioned that several of the counterfeit items were designed to imitate well-known brands closely, complicating the ability of even authorized manufacturers to differentiate them from genuine products.

He cautioned that the quantity of counterfeit medicines caught poses a considerable risk to public health, indicating that these products could have caused extensive harm had they entered the market.

He reiterated NAFDAC's dedication, under the guidance of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to eliminate fake and harmful products and safeguard the health of citizens.

The chairman of the task force encouraged major pharmaceutical distributors to procure medicines solely from NAFDAC-accredited manufacturers and urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office across the country.