The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over three trucks loaded with expired pharmaceutical products valued at N3.8 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The handover took place yesterday at the Customs warehouse in Ikeja, Lagos, reports The Guardian. Speaking at the event, the Controller of the unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, said the seized products, packed in sacks and cartons, included brands such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codeine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among others.
Shuaibu explained that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the expired pharmaceuticals stood at N3.8 billion, warning that the circulation of such products posed a serious risk to public health if not properly checked.
He reaffirmed the Customs Service’s commitment to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NCS and NAFDAC, describing the collaboration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit and harmful products.
He emphasised that only sustained inter-agency cooperation could effectively curb the smuggling and importation of fake and expired drugs.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by ensuring that expired and counterfeit medications do not find their way into the market,” Shuaibu said.
He added that the handover was not a one-off exercise, as more consignments would be transferred to NAFDAC upon conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Receiving the products, the Director of Enforcement and Investigation at NAFDAC, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, commended the Customs Service for its consistent enforcement and described the collaboration as a “healthy and strategic partnership.”
He pledged that NAFDAC would intensify its efforts in tackling the smuggling of counterfeit and expired pharmaceutical products in order to protect public health.
