NAFDAC Shuts Down Fake Drug Shops in Idumota, Intensifies Fight Against Counterfeit Medicines
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a major crackdown on counterfeit medicines, sealing key drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba.
This operation, which began Sunday night, aims to rid the country of fake and substandard pharmaceuticals that pose a serious threat to public health.
A Nationwide Crackdown on Fake Drugs
During the raid at the Idumota drug market in Lagos, NAFDAC officials, alongside military personnel and the police, shut down multiple shops suspected of selling counterfeit medications.
Similar operations took place at Bridgehead in Onitsha and Ariaria in Aba, targeting key distribution hubs for unapproved and potentially dangerous drugs.
Speaking on the development, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, emphasized the importance of ensuring drug safety.
“When people take medicine, it should work. If a child is given medication, it should not result in death because it contains nothing useful. This operation is about protecting lives and making sure only approved drugs are in circulation,” she stated.
Why This Operation Matters
NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, stressed that these open drug markets serve as the primary supply chain for over 80% of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical needs.
He warned that unregulated sales put countless lives at risk.
“These markets are not just business centers; they are places where lives are on the line. This crackdown ensures that the medicines available to Nigerians are safe, effective, and approved,” he said.
A Battle Against Deadly Consequences
Fake and substandard drugs have been linked to numerous deaths across the country, particularly among children and patients with chronic illnesses like hypertension.
Mohammed explained that if a person takes medicine for high blood pressure, it should regulate their condition—not worsen it.
“Bad medicine does more than fail—it kills. Many have already lost their lives due to ineffective treatments,” he warned.
Market Leaders React
Chairman of the Lagos State Medicines Association, Mr. Innocent Ezennaya, acknowledged the necessity of NAFDAC’s actions but urged a swift process to prevent shortages of essential medicines.
“Some hospitals and pharmacies rely on these markets for genuine drugs. If the closure lasts too long, it could affect healthcare delivery,” he noted.
Ezennaya also called for stronger border controls to prevent counterfeit drugs from entering Nigeria, saying:
“Many of these fake medicines come through our borders, seaports, and airports. Unless we block the source, these efforts will keep being undermined.”
What’s Next?
NAFDAC has vowed to continue its operations across Nigeria, shutting down illegal drug shops and prosecuting those responsible for distributing fake medicines.
The agency is also urging Nigerians to be cautious and only purchase drugs from licensed pharmacies.
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