NAFDAC impounds N24m unregistered drugs

The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has impounded a truckload of unregistered medicines valued at N24million.
Director General of the Agency, Dr Paul Orhii, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja, said the truck with Benin Republic registration number, IPN 0955RB, conveying 5000 cartons of intravenous fluids in 500ml packs labeled in French language, was intercepted on Monday August 21, by the agency’s regulatory officers on routine surveillance along Dutse-Kano-Maiduguri road in Jigawa state.
Disclosing that the intravenous drug products had no NAFDAC registration number, the DG said the driver of the truck initially refused to stop when flagged down by the agency’s officers until after a hot chase.

“When the driver was interrogated, he claimed that the consignments were construction materials and he quickly brought out a document to support this claim. On close examination, however, it was discovered that the truck contains 5000 cartons of intravenous D5 Glucose A Drip. On the ground of this inconsistency the truck was impounded and the three foreign occupants were arrested and interrogated”, the DG disclosed.
Orhii said the main reason this agency impounded the truckload of the drugs was because they were unregistered and the source and destination of the products unascertained.
However, to ascertain the potency and quality of the drugs, the DG said samples have been taken to laboratory for tests.

He further disclosed that a similar seizure was made three months ago when a container load of fake Maloxine and Amalar, anti-malaria drugs, worth N32million was intercepted at Apapa Port in Lagos.
Announcing the promotions of the uncompromising officers on the operations as a reward and incentive to boost their morale and encourage others, the DG reiterated his Agency’s resolve to rid the nation of fake drugs and other consumables, warning that NAFDAC would deal decisively with anybody or companies who seek to compromise, harass, intimidate or blackmail NAFDAC regulatory officers in the course of discharging their lawful duties.