The operatives of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday intercepted a 40feet trailer at Oshodi enroute Mushin in Lagos which was transporting suspected pharmaceutical products to an unknown destination.
A statement from NAFDAC head office in Abuja on Thursday said the interception was possible as a result of a tip-off from a concerned citizen aware of the movement.
While trying to move the intercepted trailer to NAFDAC warehouse, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Police Force were at the scene to assist the NAFDAC operatives. The trailer was eventually moved to the Area D Command in Mushin.
After a joint examination by operatives of NAFDAC, Customs and the Police, products such as Barcadin with Codeine (cough syrup) – 588cartons x 200bottles x100ml; Feed Fine (Cyproheptadine caplet) – 44cartons x 24rolls x 10packs x 3blisters x10caplets; Really Extra (Diclofenac sodium tab) – 190cartons x 100boxes x 10packets x 1x10caplets and Afrodic (Diclofenac sodium cap) – 207cartons x 100boxes x 10packs x 1x10caplets were intercepted.
One Mr. Luke Mba ‘M’ of No 9 Ehi street, Ijesa, Lagos who accompanied the trailer and claimed to be the importer was arrested alongside the driver.
Initial investigation, according to NAFDAC, suggests that the unregistered products were manufactured and or imported from India into Nigeria through the Seme land border and was allegedly being transported to Onitsha in Anambra state.
The Agency said it has resolved to prosecute the suspect as soon as the police hand him over to them.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye said it will be recalled that the Federal Government announced a ban on the production and importation of cough syrups containing codeine after investigation into its addiction became epidemic.
She appealed to members of the public as part of their civic responsibility to “report any incidence of counterfeiting and adulteration of foods, drugs, cosmetic, medical devices, chemical and packaged water to NAFDAC for prompt regulatory and legal action.”
“I thank everyone that has partnered with NAFDAC. We still enlist your support in our quest to eradicate the incidence of Substandard/Spurious/Falsely Labelled/Falsified (SSF) Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food and other regulated products,” she added.
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