NAFDAC uncovers couple relabelling expired injectables in Delta
Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have uncovered an illegal drug operation in an uncompleted building located in Azagba-Ogwashi, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The facility, allegedly operated by a couple, was used to relabel and repackage expired injectable drugs.
According to Mr. Babatunji Omoyeni, Deputy Director of NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement for the South South and South East zones, the illegal activities were discovered in a six-flat building where the suspects resided.
The expired drugs included banned substances such as gentamicin 280mg, chloroquine phosphate 332mg/5ml, ergometrine injections, and other unidentified injectables.
Omoyeni stated that NAFDAC acted swiftly following a tip-off.
Upon arrival, the premises appeared residential, with children playing and one of the suspects plaiting hair with a friend.
However, hidden under chairs and inside rooms, investigators found injectables wrapped in cloth. Some occupants fled the scene on sighting the officials.
Among the items recovered was a 100-litre drum filled with chemicals used to erase expiry dates on drug vials.
The vials were then relabelled with new dates and repackaged for sale at the Ogbogwu drug market in Onitsha.
Some of the recovered drugs had expired as far back as 2018.
The suspect’s wife has been arrested and is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC Director for the South East Zone, described the operation as a severe threat to public health.
He criticized the act of chemically erasing expired dates and selling mislabeled injectables as worse than terrorism, emphasizing the risk of treatment failure and worsening medical conditions caused by fake medications.
Iluyomade urged the public to remain vigilant and support NAFDAC’s efforts to safeguard public health and eliminate counterfeit drugs from circulation.