Korede Abdullah 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal herbal medicine production facility in Agege, Lagos State, where three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters were found carrying a registration number allegedly belonging to another product.
The agency disclosed the discovery in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, following a report that herbal products were being marketed with falsified NAFDAC registration numbers.
According to the agency, its investigative team conducted surveillance before locating the facility and examining the products.
NAFDAC said verification through its Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) portal showed that registration number A7-1827L belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, not the herbal bitters found at the facility. “Verification through NAFDAC’s NAPAMS portal revealed that the registration number belongs to Greentol Cough Syrup, confirming its fraudulent use on the herbal products,” the agency stated.
The facility’s managing director and chief executive officer was absent when officials carried out the operation, while the company manager was arrested for further questioning.
The agency did not provide further details about the manager’s identity, the quantity of products recovered or whether production equipment and other materials were seized. NAFDAC urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities through its call centres on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or by email at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.
The discovery comes less than a week after the agency uncovered a suspected counterfeit drinks factory at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos. Two people were reportedly arrested during that operation over the alleged production and repackaging of counterfeit alcoholic and energy drinks under unhygienic conditions.
The latest operation highlights continuing regulatory concerns about products marketed with potentially falsified registration details and the need for consumers to verify the authenticity of regulated medicines and other products.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 