NAFDAC seizes banned cough syrup in Lagos

The National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has impounded a truckload of banned drugs in Lagos.

Moji Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, said officials of the agency intercepted the articulated truck carrying a 40 ft container containing large quantity of suspected fake and adulterated medicines.

“After a joint examination by operatives of NAFDAC, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force, the following products were found in the intercepted truck:

“Barcadin with Codeine (cough syrup) – 588ctns x 200bottles x100ml and Feed Fine (Cyproheptadine caplet) – 44ctns x 24rolls x 10pks x 3blisters x10caplets.

“Others are Really Extra (Diclofenac sodium tab) – 190ctns x 100boxes x 10pkts x 1x10caplets and Afrodic (Diclofenac sodium cap) – 207ctns x 100boxes x 10pks x 1x10caplets,” the NAFDAC boss said in a statement.

The NAFDAC DG added that, one Luke Mba, who accompanied the trailer and claimed to be the importer, was arrested along with the driver.

“Initial investigation suggests that the unregistered products were manufactured or imported from India into Nigeria through the Seme land border and allegedly heading for Onitsha, Anambra.

“The agency has resolved to prosecute the suspect in this matter when the police hand him over to us.

“It is worthy of note that the Federal Government announced a ban on the production and import of cough syrup containing codeine after investigation into its addiction epidemic,” Adeyeye said.

She said that the agency was tipped-off by a concerned citizen that a truck conveying a 40ft container was transporting assorted suspected pharmaceutical products to an unknown destination.

“Operatives of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC on Wednesday, mounted a six hour surveillance and intercepted the said trailer at Oshodi en route Mushin.

“Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Police Force came on the scene to lend a helping hand, the trailer was eventually moved to the Area D Police Command, Mushin,” she said.

The NAFDAC DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting the agency in its quest to rid the society of substandard and fake drugs and food.