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LAGOS,Nigeria - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Contrmol (NAFDAC) has announced that its ongoing enforcement actions at the Idumota open drug market in Lagos State aim to eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines from the nation.
The NAFDAC Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Shaba Mohammed, informed the media during an enforcement operation on Tuesday that the market was sealed off on Sunday.
He noted that this action was taken in conjunction with the sealing of the Ariaria drug market in Aba and the Onitsha drug market in Anambra.
Mohammed explained that the enforcement exercise, which is expected to last a week, is concurrently taking place across the three markets, which are responsible for the distribution of over 80 percent of the country’s medications.
He highlighted that the operation is intended to control the activities of sellers dealing in counterfeit, substandard, expired, and rebranded drugs that pose risks to the health and welfare of Nigerians.
He mentioned that more than 5,000 shops, including warehouses and packing stores, will be inspected during these ongoing operations to identify substandard medical products.
He stated: "Today's operation focuses on substandard medical products available in the Nigerian market. On Sunday night, we sealed off the three primary open drug markets in the country – the Idumota drug market, the Onitsha drug market, and the Ariaria drug market in Aba.
We are collaborating with security forces, including the Military Police, Secret Service, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, alongside NAFDAC personnel working in these markets.
"In the past, we engaged in numerous investigations and visited these markets to seize products, but this week’s operation aims to ensure that we eliminate nearly all counterfeit products from these venues,” he added.
It could be reported that shop owners were seen adhering to the directives given by NAFDAC officials, who took turns inspecting their shops.
Fully armed security personnel were also present at the Idumota open drug market to facilitate a smooth operation for the NAFDAC officials.
