The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed N3.5bn worth of seized drugs and other products described as the largest seizures in recent times.
The products destroyed at Okediya dump site, Shagamu, Ogun state included
Tramadol, Codeine, consignments of smuggled/ illegally imported Unwholesome Sugar (different brands) of Brazilian sugar worth over N100m which was said to have been rebranded by one businesswoman in a popular Lagos market. And Counterfeit medicines.
Also included are damaged and expired NAFDAC Regulated products voluntarily submitted to the Agency by compliant companies.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye breaks it down: “The total street value of the products destroyed is about Three Billion, Five Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-two Naira (N3,508,550,762.00). The street value of tramadol that is being destroyed today is estimated to be N1,708,750,000.00”.
According to the Director-General, the street value of Tramadol seized alone was estimated at N1.7bn adding that the Tramadol was intercepted mainly at Tin Can Port in Apapa.
Prof. Adeyeye was joined by the First Lady of Ogun State, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunsho Amosun, and officials of the Ogun state government as well as other stakeholders including NDLEA, Police and DSS to destroy the seized items.
She explained that while only 50m and 100mg of Tramadol are approved for use in Nigeria, the strength of most of the ones seized was far above the approved range. The unapproved strengths are 250mg and 500mg.
Prof Adeyeye said: “The banned strengths have deleterious effects on vital organs of the body including the brain. 13 containers of banned and unregistered Tramadol and Diclofenac released to the agency by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) are also being destroyed, here”.
The Director-General revealed that investigations by her agency have shown that there is a cartel specialising in the importation of this banned Tramadol into the country, adding that all hands must be on deck to stop those behind the cartel.
“I am calling for quick amendment of the NAFDAC laws to prescribe a stiffer penalty for peddlers of the banned drugs. Just last week, the agency secured a conviction for one Mr Ezeanwu Ifeanyi at the Federal High Court in Lagos with the convict sentenced to five years imprisonment for being in possession of Tramadol though with an option of N300,000 fine.
“We also have one counterfeit medicine seized and confiscated from Olisameka Osefo. The suspect was arraigned and subsequently convicted while the fake medicines were forfeited to the government for destruction”, she added.
Prof Adeyeye appealed to the National Assembly to speed-up the amendment to the laws to address the dangerous trend of Counterfeiting and destruction of innocent lives.
“A situation where a convict is sentenced to two years in prison with an option of the maximum statutory fine of five hundred thousand is a nudge on the counterfeiters, not even a slap. We call for stiffer sentencing, confiscation of the assets of the convict and adequate compensation of the victim(s) of the crime among others,” she stated.
Meanwhile Mrs Amosun and the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye commended NAFDAC for its proactiveness and diligence which resorted to the massive seizures.
They equally urged the agency to adhere to the international standard of destructing seized regulated items, stating that, “when they are burned in open space as this, they emit dangerous chemicals into the air, thereby polluting the environment. Do get incinerators,” said Mrs Amosun.