Leadership of Ogbo-Ogwu Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria, has voluntarily handed over counterfeit and unwholesome drugs valued at over ₦265 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Okay News reports that Market Chairman Chukwuleta Ndubuisi announced the surrender during a media briefing. Seized items include expired, banned, fake, and substandard pharmaceuticals.
Some products were confiscated last year. Others followed NAFDAC raids on the market, West Africa’s largest medicine hub.
Ndubuisi pledged ongoing periodic operations until counterfeit trade ends. Taskforces monitor strategic points for violators.
“We’re here to hand over these seized products to NAFDAC. They include unwholesome, expired, banned, fake and substandard products,” Ndubuisi stated.
“Before you are approximately ₦265 million worth of goods. We carry out this activity periodically,” he added.
The chairman noted reduced internal peddling. Many seized drugs originate from external smuggling.
He reported threats against his leadership from counterfeit dealers. Media campaigns aim to discredit the executive.
Ndubuisi urged peddlers to pursue legitimate business. He warned against risks to relatives and long-term consequences.
NAFDAC State Coordinator Pharm. Louis Madubuattah received over 400 cartons. Items await destruction in agency warehouses.
“This is normal practice. When pharmaceutical companies have their products expired, the law requires they hand them over to NAFDAC for destruction,” Madubuattah said.
“We’re glad the market leadership has mechanism to mop up unwholesome products. It’s an improvement they’re handing over these products themselves,” he added.
The initiative aligns with NAFDAC’s public health mandate. It prevents revalidation and recirculation of dangerous medicines.
This self-regulatory action demonstrates market commitment to consumer safety. It supports national efforts against counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Collaboration between traders and regulators strengthens supply chain integrity. It protects lives in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical distribution network.
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