By Sandra Chukwunyere
In a significant move to protect public health, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over three trucks of expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos.
The seized products, valued at ₦3,779,500,000, were discovered to be harmful to human health and pose serious risks if not properly regulated.
According to Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Controller of FOU Zone A, the handover is a testament to the service’s commitment to upholding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC.
The MoU aims to curb the smuggling and importation of fake and counterfeit products, including pharmaceuticals.
The expired products, which include brands such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets, CSC Codine Syrup, and Tramadol, among others, were found to be of various brands and were being smuggled into the country.
Comptroller Shuaibu emphasized that the service remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications, warning that expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness.
The collaboration between the NCS and NAFDAC sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population. The handover is not a one-off event, as more products will be transferred to NAFDAC following the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Dr. Martin Iluyomade, Director in charge of Enforcement and Investigation at NAFDAC, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the MoU.
He described the collaboration as a “healthy and strategic partnership” and pledged that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in the fight against the smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceutical products.
