The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated a haul of aphrodisiac products and sex enhancement drugs valued at ₦12 million in Sokoto.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria the seizure was made during routine patrol operations across markets in Sokoto and its environs.
The NAFDAC Coordinator for Sokoto State, Garba Adamu, told NAN that the agency’s vigilant patrol team discovered the products, which were not only unregistered but also deemed highly unsafe due to the use of hazardous ingredients in their formulation.
Additionally, Adamu highlighted the explicit and inappropriate use of pornographic imagery on the packaging of these products, further underscoring their unsuitability for public consumption.
Adamu urged the public to avoid purchasing such items from unlicensed vendors, emphasizing the importance of patronizing only registered and safe products from authorised outlets.
He encouraged citizens to report any sightings of illicit product sales to NAFDAC and to promptly inform the agency of any adverse reactions experienced from consuming such products.
He said, “We also call on the general public to always report hawkers and dealers of such products to NAFDAC, as well as report any adverse reactions they may get from taking such products or any other regulated products.
“Some marketers are in the habit of dumping expired or about-to-expire products in markets in Sokoto and environs, while some are taken to border markets and rural areas for consumption.”
The NAFDAC coordinator also cautioned traders against dealing in adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered, or expired goods, stressing that NAFDAC would continue to enforce stringent regulatory measures to uphold public health standards.
He noted that the agency’s operations extended beyond pharmaceuticals to include inspections of agrochemicals and cosmetics stores, part of ongoing efforts to ensure the circulation of quality products in the markets.
Acknowledging the support received from sister agencies, law enforcement bodies, traders’ associations, and the general public, Adamu expressed gratitude for their collaborative efforts in safeguarding public health.
Meanwhile, NAFDAC has disclosed a substantial investment totalling over N6 billion in infrastructure development over the past eight years.
This investment is aimed at bolstering the country’s capacity to meet international regulatory benchmarks and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian medical products on the global stage.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, made this revelation during the BusinessDay’s policy intervention series focused on NAFDAC’s pivotal role in economic development and transformation.
She emphasised that the funds have been allocated towards expanding laboratory capabilities nationwide, positioning NAFDAC to achieve the World Health Organisation Maturity Level (ML4) and secure World Listed Authority Status by 2025.
“Achieving higher global ratings for Nigerian medical products is crucial for boosting their competitiveness in international trade,” Adeyeye remarked.
She highlighted the agency’s success in increasing local production and approval of essential medicines, citing a notable rise in approvals for pharmaceutical manufacturing layouts across the country.
Adeyeye also noted challenges such as currency devaluation impacting the completion timelines of approved manufacturing facilities. Despite setbacks, she underscored ongoing efforts in constructing new facilities and upgrading existing ones in states like Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, and others.
Furthermore, the director-general outlined NAFDAC’s comprehensive strategy to streamline regulatory processes through enhanced information technology infrastructure and digitalisation.
