The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has sealed the Idumota open drug market in Lagos State as part of a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines.
The enforcement operation, which also targeted the Onitsha drug market in Anambra and the Ariaria drug market in Aba, aims to rid the country of unsafe pharmaceutical products.
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, confirmed the development during an inspection exercise on Tuesday.
“On Sunday night, we sealed the three major open drug markets in the country – Idumota, Onitsha, and Ariaria,” Mohammed stated. “This operation is focused on removing substandard medical products that pose significant health risks to Nigerians.”
According to him, the simultaneous raids on the three major drug distribution hubs—responsible for over 80 percent of medicines in Nigeria—are being carried out in collaboration with security agencies, including the Military Police, Secret Service, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
Before the current operation, NAFDAC had conducted several investigations and confiscated counterfeit products in these markets. However, the agency is now taking a more aggressive approach to eradicate fake and expired drugs.
“This week, we are ensuring that we clear out virtually all counterfeit products from these markets,” Mohammed added.
During the enforcement exercise, NAFDAC officials inspected more than 5,000 shops, warehouses, and packaging stores.
At the Idumota market, shop owners were seen cooperating with officials as armed security personnel provided protection.
Seven fully loaded trucks containing suspected fake and expired medicines, including drugs with images of human body parts, were seized.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring that only genuine and safe pharmaceutical products are available to Nigerians.
