NAFDAC seizes ‘N1.2bn fake malaria drugs’ in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration andControl (NAFDAC) says its operatives have seized suspected counterfeit malariadrugs worth N1.2 billion in Lagos. In a statement on Friday, NAFDAC said operatives intercepted277 cartons of the fake drug named Malamal Forte in a warehouse in theIlasa-Oshodi area of the Lagos metropolis. The agency said the counterfeit drugs were illegallyimported from China, disguised as spare parts, and concealed in cartonslabelled Diclofenac Potassium 50mg. “NAFDAC has intercepted 277 cartons of counterfeit andunregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs, valued at over ₦1.2 billion, in awarehouse located in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of Lagos State,” the statementreads. “The fake drugs, which were concealed in cartons labelled asDiclofenac Potassium 50mg, were illegally imported from Shanxi TianyuanPharmaceuticals Group in China. “They were falsely declared as spare parts in the shippingcontainer.” Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s director-general (DG), said theagency remains determined to rid the country of fake and substandard medicines. “This seizure is part of NAFDAC’s sustained nationwideoperation to protect public health and ensure only safe, quality medicines areavailable to Nigerians,” she said.

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