NAFDAC evacuates 140 tonnes of expired drugs in Aba

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confiscated and evacuated 140 tonnes of expired and unregistered drugs from Aba, Abia State, to its facility in Anambra State.

Mr. Omoyeni Babatunji, Deputy Director in charge of Investigation and Enforcement for NAFDAC’s Federal Taskforce in the South-South and South-East regions, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists on the agency’s latest enforcement activities.

According to Babatunji, over 178 drug samples collected during the operation will undergo laboratory analysis to determine their safety and authenticity. He revealed that the expired drugs were discovered in a warehouse located in Umummeje, Umuocheala, Osisioma Local Government Area, separate from drug shops at the Ariaria International Market.

NAFDAC also uncovered two additional warehouses at No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road (formerly Faulk’s Road), Aba, packed with expired pharmaceutical products.

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Babatunji explained that some suspects attempted to remove and re-label expired drugs before NAFDAC operatives could secure the premises. He led journalists on a tour of the warehouses and confirmed that evacuation of the seized drugs would commence on Saturday evening.

He emphasized the growing concern over expired drugs being rebranded and returned to the market, reinforcing the urgent need for a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) for drug distribution in Aba.

“This activity is a drive toward the achievement of Wholesale Control Centres (CWCs), as NAFDAC is now on ML3, or what we call Maturity Level 3, of the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Babatunji stated.

“All these activities align with global benchmarking tools for regulatory enforcement, and a coordinated warehouse system is crucial for ensuring proper drug regulation. NAFDAC has been engaging the governors of Abia and Anambra, where these centres are to be located, pushing for their establishment.”

Mr. Luis Madubuata, another Deputy Director at NAFDAC, described the large stockpiles of expired drugs found in Aba as “horrifying and worrisome.”

“We actually got here because of a collaborative operation between NAFDAC and security agencies,” he explained.

“So through intelligence, we discovered another location where expired products were being re-labelled and sent back to the market. For now, no arrests have been made, but it was evident that people vacated the premises hurriedly, leaving behind refrigerators and other electronic appliances still running.”

Madubuata expressed confidence that the police would track down the culprits and ensure they face justice.

He also acknowledged the support of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, stating that NAFDAC’s work in Aba had been carried out smoothly due to the state government’s strong backing.