THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a large-scale operation dealing in expired and falsified drugs at Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State.
The premises, which include multiple buildings near the Ariaria International Market, served as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines for sale.
Seized items include expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments, among others. Machines used to rebrand and alter expiry dates were also discovered on-site.
During the raid, some individuals were arrested, but the prime suspect remains at large. Despite efforts to reach him, he showed no concern for his detained family members.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with security agencies, including the Police, Army, and DSS, as part of the federal government’s intensified crackdown on counterfeit medicines.
NAFDAC has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating the circulation of substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria. The agency is currently reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products.
Eighteen-Eleven Media