The leadership of Ogbo-Ogwu Market at Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State, has handed over fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦265 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the market, Mr. Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, said the seized items included expired, banned, unregistered, fake, and substandard drugs. He explained that while some of the products were confiscated last year, others were seized following NAFDAC’s recent raid on the market.
According to him, the market leadership conducts periodic operations to rid the market of harmful drugs and will not relent until all unwholesome pharmaceutical products are completely eliminated.
“We are here to formally hand over these seized drugs to NAFDAC. They consist of unwholesome, expired, banned, fake, and substandard products worth about ₦265 million,” Ndubuisi said.
“This exercise did not start today. It has been ongoing since the era of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, even before I assumed office.”
He stressed that the market leadership would not allow traders to sell products capable of endangering lives, noting that task force members have been strategically deployed within the market to monitor and apprehend dealers in counterfeit drugs.
Ndubuisi acknowledged a significant reduction in the sale of fake drugs within the market, adding that most of the seized products were smuggled in from outside.
He also disclosed that individuals involved in counterfeit drug trade had threatened his life and attacked members of his executive in attempts to disrupt their efforts.
“Despite the threats and smear campaigns against us, I will not compromise. I will continue this work until my tenure ends,” he stated.
“I advise those dealing in fake drugs to abandon such activities and embrace legitimate businesses. Crime does not pay, and there is no shortcut to success. You never know who may consume these fake drugs it could even be your own relatives.”
Reacting, the Anambra State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Pharm. Louis Madubuattah, confirmed that the agency received over 400 cartons of assorted pharmaceutical products, most of which were expired or unregistered.
He said the items would be kept in NAFDAC’s warehouse pending their destruction in line with regulatory procedures.
“This is standard practice. Expired pharmaceutical products are required by law to be handed over to NAFDAC for proper disposal,” Madubuattah explained.
“We are pleased that the market leadership has put mechanisms in place to identify and hand over unwholesome products. This shows progress and strong collaboration in safeguarding public health.”
