The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a large-scale operation dealing in expired and counterfeit drugs in Umumeje Village, Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State. The illegal enterprise, operating from multiple buildings near the Ariaria International Market, was found to be repackaging and re-validating expired medications for resale.
NAFDAC disclosed on its X handle that the fraudulent activities posed severe public health risks, endangering unsuspecting consumers. During the raid, enforcement officers arrested several individuals linked to the operation, while the alleged mastermind remains at large.
Among the confiscated items were expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments, along with machinery used to alter expiry dates. NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating substandard and falsified drugs, in line with the federal government’s intensified measures against drug-related crimes.
The agency is also reviewing its regulatory framework to impose stricter penalties on offenders, including a proposed death sentence for drug peddlers whose activities result in fatalities, particularly among children.
This development follows a major enforcement action on February 10, 2025, when NAFDAC shut down the Onitsha Drug Market in Anambra State. In a joint operation with the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), officials seized unregistered and counterfeit medicines worth millions of naira.
The proliferation of fake and expired drugs remains a critical public health challenge in Nigeria, contributing to rising mortality rates and eroding trust in the healthcare system. Experts stress that tackling this menace requires a concerted effort from regulatory agencies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and the public to ensure the safety and integrity of the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
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