The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Thursday confirmed in Lagos that most fake and substandard food and drug products imported into the country were sourced from China.
NAFDAC also revealed that drug counterfeiters now operate from markets that deal on other commodities so as not to draw attention of law enforcement agencies on their nefarious activities.
Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, at a press briefing in Lagos on the arrest of Mr. Olisemeka Osefoh for the importation of counterfeit medicines worth over N106 million from China, said: “The suspect has been interrogated and his statement taken. He confessed to be in business with a cartel based in China where the products were sourced and stored in their warehouse before being shipped to Nigeria. He has also given investigators information on how the medicines were illegally cleared through Tincan Island Port, Lagos. The counterfeit medicines have been sample against the suspect and he will be prosecuted as soon as investigation is concluded.”
The NAFDAC director general said the agency is working closely with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to track down the criminal company in China, which connived with the suspect to ship into the country these counterfeit medicines. “The agency has enjoyed the support and co-operation of the Chinese Embassy in the fight against drug counterfeiting in the country,” he said.
Orhii said Osefoh was arrested by operatives from NAFDAC investigation and enforcement directorate following a tip-off.
He said the officials raided a warehouse located at Progressive Traders’ Market known for the sale of jewelry and cosmetics products within Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos, and 158 cartons of Skinneal cream, 43 cartons of Funbact-A cream, 719 cartons of Mycoten cream, 131 cartons of Neurogesic cream, 56 cartons of Rough Rider condom, 20 cartons of Iman Luxury Powder and 205 cartons of Heal Balm with estimated street value of the counterfeit medicines, which is about two 20-feet container load for N106,210 only.
Orhii said there would be no sacred cow in the fight against counterfeit medicines and any counterfeiter arrested will be prosecuted according to the law of the land.
He appealed on behalf of the agency to members of the public, landlords and market unions to report any suspicious activity relating to NAFDAC regulated products around their community to the nearest NAFDAC office for immediate action and see it as part of their contribution in the fight against counterfeit and fake products.
Orhii said that henceforth, landlords of warehouses stocked with counterfeit drugs and other substandard regulated products will be arrested and prosecuted as accomplices.
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