The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted the production and distribution of fake condoms and drugs in Lagos.
NAFDAC disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement released on its official X page. The Agency explained that it had uncovered more alarming products during its raid at the Idumota open drug market.
The statement mentioned that these products included unregistered narcotics, counterfeit GSK medicines, and vaccines which were unhygienically stored in toilets.
Similarly, in its operation, the NAFDAC officials seized expired condoms donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which expired in 2022.
The agency noted that it discovered these expired donated condoms were repackaged as “KISS” condoms, extending the expiry date to 2027.
Additionally, the agency discovered that the “KISS” condoms circulating in the market are condoms from USAID with no valid expiration date.
The agency’s X account further revealed that the agency had confiscated the items. It listed Analgin, oxytocin for maternal health, vaccines meant for cold chain storage, and other donated medical products.
In a post on X, NAFDAC divulged that the ongoing enforcement will help eliminate the distribution of illicit drugs. Also, it targets curbing the circulation of unregistered, expired, revalidated, and controlled medicines.
According to the post, over 3,000 shops have been screened and suspended, with over ten arrests made, primarily targeting traders who attempted to evade enforcement by hiding or relocating products, especially at night.
However, the agency reassured the public of its commitment to protecting the health and safety of Nigerians, the patent rights of registered businesses, and by extension, the image of the country globally.
Not only that, NAFDAC also promised to continue fighting against counterfeit and substandard medicines, emphasizing the serious health risks associated with these illicit products.
