NAFDAC Nabs Producers of Fake Cough Syrups, Others

As part of efforts to reduce fake and counterfeit drugs in the Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested one Mr. Udoka Offor, Mrs. Chika Nwaemeka Nwoye and Ebuka Ojeani for illegal production and counterfeiting of Codeine syrups, Archillin, among others.

Offor was said to have been arrested in Abia State where he was in possession of COF and COLD with Codeine syrup, 28 cartons of 50 bottles x 100ml.

He was said to have confessed to producing the syrup in his one room rented apartment at Asaba, Delta state and markets same at No. E/254, Linkap Line, Head Bridge Market, Onitsha, Anambra State.

He said: “I always buy the original product from the market, reduce the fill volume and mix it with borehole water to produce the exact volume per bottle thereby making more quantity of the syrup, which is sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

According to NAFDAC’s Acting Director General, Nwoye, who was the South East Area Sales Manager of Archy Pharmeceutical Limited, was arrested at her residence in Delta State on the 29th June, 2017. Adding that the suspect led NAFDAC team to Ebuka.

“Several cartons of the fake product were found at the premises of Mr. Ebuka aka Ebu-Young. The two suspects who were obviously taking advantage of the market opportunities provided by the original products have been arraigned in court” NAFDAC said.

Mrs Oni said the Agency had recently issued a public notice in some newspapers warning importers, distributors and marketers of some NAFDAC regulated products contained in the import prohibition list.