The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified its efforts to tackle the circulation of substandard and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria by intercepting fake medicines at the Onitsha Bridgehead drug market in Anambra State.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Seizes 10 Trucks of Counterfeit Drugs in Anambra State
Since February 10, 2025, NAFDAC has been conducting a thorough search at the market, which is known as Ogbo-Ogwu, and has already seized over 10 trucks filled with illicit and expired drugs. In a surprising turn of events, the agency discovered prohibited drugs hidden inside plumbing materials shops located within the market.
Conducting the raid, the agency uncovered two trailer loads of unregistered narcotics, banned tramadol, and counterfeit drugs concealed inside plumbing materials shops located within the market.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, revealed that the agency extended its search to the plumbing materials shops based on intelligence gathering. The discovery of cartons of tramadol and other banned drugs concealed among plumbing materials raised concerns about the safety of consumers purchasing medications in the market.
Iluyomade emphasized the need for heightened security measures following a past incident where NAFDAC officials were attacked while conducting a search in the same market. He expressed disappointment at the prevalence of fake drugs in the market, warning of the dangers they pose to unsuspecting consumers.
“The NAFDAC enforcement team, which is conducting the mop-up exercise, has so far uncovered several adulterated, banned, substandard, and expired drugs worth billions of naira from various shops.
“The market, consisting of multiple buildings and shops, serves as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines under false claims, which are then sold to unsuspecting consumers.
“I weep for Nigerians who are sick and purchase drugs to treat themselves, only to find their conditions unchanged or even worsened. This is due to the high influx of fake and dangerous drugs in the market.
“As of today, since the enforcement operation began over a week ago, we have so far moved no fewer than 10 fully loaded 40-foot trucks of fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs out of the market. Some of these drugs even have fraudulent NAFDAC approval claims.
“NAFDAC is committed to eradicating substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria. In China, possession of fake or counterfeit drugs carries the death penalty, but in Nigeria, it is punishable by only a few years in prison with an option of a fine.
“NAFDAC has vowed to continue its crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines, emphasising the grave health risks posed by these illicit products.
“The enforcement operation remains ongoing as officials work to dismantle illegal drug networks and ensure compliance with safety regulations,” he added.
In response to the discovery of counterfeit drugs in plumbing materials shops, Chief Ejiofor Chikodi, Chairman of the Onitsha Building Materials Traders Association, announced stringent measures to deter such practices in the future. Shop owners found in possession of counterfeit drugs will face a hefty fine of ₦500,000, as agreed upon during a meeting of market stakeholders.
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