|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Summary
NAFDAC, under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit and unregistered drugs in key markets, deploying over 1,000 personnel to Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota. Despite criticism that these efforts are disrupting trade, Mojisola has reaffirmed that the agency’s primary goal is to protect lives, particularly young people who are at risk of consuming harmful substances.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public health amid concerns over its intensified enforcement efforts.
“People have been telling us that we are disturbing trade. We are not disturbing trade. We are protecting lives. We are protecting our young people from becoming useless,” Mojisola stated in an interview on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, defending the agency’s ongoing operations against counterfeit and unregistered medicines.
This statement comes after NAFDAC deployed over 1,000 personnel to major drug markets in Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota to clamp down on illicit pharmaceuticals. The agency aims to rid Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector of substandard products that pose significant risks to public health. According to them, the widespread circulation of counterfeit drugs has been a persistent issue in the country, leading to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatalities.
This raid, which has led to the seizure of many fake drugs as well as the closure of shops that were not registered with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), serves to intensify NAFDAC’s resolve to ensure that only safe and regulated medicines reach the public. By targeting counterfeit drugs at the source, the agency is working to prevent potentially fatal health consequences and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s drug supply chain. The operation also seeks to deter individuals and businesses involved in the illegal drug trade, reinforcing the government’s stance on public health and consumer safety.
With this initiative, Mojisola and her team continue to prioritise safety over trade concerns, emphasising that the agency’s mission remains clear—safeguarding lives and securing a healthier future for Nigerians.
