NAFDAC impounds vehicles loaded with fake drugs in Delta

* Tramadol, Panadol Extra, Depo-Provera injection, Insulin, others among seizures

Alexander Davis

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated three vehicles loaded with fake and substandard drugs in Asaba, Delta State capital.

Agency report says Dr. Christiana Esenwah, Deputy Director at NAFDAC, made the disclosure in an interview Tuesday, in Asaba.

Dr. Esenwah, who heads Investigation and Enforcement on Counterfeit and Fake Drug in South-East/South-South zones, said that the NAFDAC team arrested five persons in connection with the seized items.

The official said NAFDAC enforcement officials also apprehended drivers of the vehicles at Abraka Market, Asaba, on the Asaba-Onitsha highway, following a tip-off.

The vehicles were loaded at the Bridge Head market, Onitsha, in neighbouring Anambra State, she said.

“We intercepted three vehicles loaded with fake, adulterated, unregistered and improperly stored medication.

“We got some banned and controlled products inside the trucks which were loaded and were enroute Kano and other places,” the NAFDAC Deputy Director said.

Esenwah said the drugs impounded include Tramadol, Panadol Extra, Depo-Provera injection, Insulin, Dano vaccine, Talita Super, and Tetanus Antitoxin.

Meanwhile, she said that investigation was ongoing to get other culprits involved in the haulage of the fake and substandard products, adding that those arrested would be handled according to the law.

The NAFDAC boss promised that the team was ready to work with the general public to curb the menace of fake and substandard drugs in the zone.

“Fake and substandard drugs account for many deaths recorded daily which could have been prevented if genuine products were used,” she said.

“The Panadol Extra tablets found here are fake and we have veterinary products that are also fake; they are not registered with NAFDAC,” she submitted.

Esenwah also urged Nigerians to continue supporting NDLEA in the continual fight against fake, substandard and adulterated products by availing it with useful information.

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