The Federal Operations Unit Zone A (FOU A) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday handed over various expired pharmaceutical products valued at ₦3.779 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Ikeja.
FOU A Comptroller, Mohammed Shuaibu while handling over the products to the NAFDAC Director in charge of enforcement and investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade reaffirmed the service’s dedication to upholding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC.
He noted that the MoU marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against fake and counterfeit products.
“What we are witnessing today is a follow up of the MoU, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to continuously thwart the smuggling and importation of these harmful consignments.”
The Comptroller disclosed that a total of three trucks filled with various brands of expired pharmaceutical products were handed over.
“The items in sacks and cartons such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among others.
The rest of the products pose serious risks to public health if not properly regulated. It was revealed that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals stood at ₦3,779,500,000.”
The Comptroller emphasized that the service remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications. “Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness,”
he warned, adding that “the potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be understated.”
He further assured the public that the service prioritizes the health and safety of Nigerians by preventing expired or counterfeit drugs from circulating in the market.
The handover, he noted, is not a one-off event, as more products will be transferred to NAFDAC following the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Shuaibu reiterated the importance of the continued collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC adding that “This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population.”
Speaking Dr. Martin Iluyomade commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both agencies.
He lauded the ongoing collaboration, describing it 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.