Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a significant move in its efforts to sanitize the country’s drug distribution system.
In the first week of its enforcement operations, the agency sealed over 3,000 shops within the Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos.
In a statement on X on Sunday, said during the raids, NAFDAC officials uncovered alarming violations, including vaccines stored in dilapidated, unventilated rooms sealed with iron sheets, posing severe health risks.
Among the discoveries were large consignments of banned and dangerous drugs, including Analgin injections, diverted HIV antiretroviral drugs, and expired medicines slated for illegal revalidation.
“In the first week of enforcement, NAFDAC screened and sealed over 3,000 shops within the Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos,” the agency stated.
“Additionally, large consignments of banned products, including Analgin injections, diverted-free HIV antiretroviral drugs, expired medicines set for revalidation, and unregistered pharmaceuticals, were found.”, the statement added.
The agency also evacuated illicit pharmaceuticals equivalent to 12 truckloads and discovered empty packs and cartons of expired, unregistered antimalarial injections in a packing shop.
Furthermore, dangerous substances such as Ecstasy (MDMA or Molly), various brands of Codeine Cough Syrup, and Tramadol 225 were uncovered in a warehouse within the market.
