By Omoniyi David
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has handed over three trucks of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N3.78 billion to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Controller of the unit, Mohammed Shuaibu, made the disclosure during a visit by NAFDAC’s new Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, to the Customs office in Ikeja.
Speaking at the government warehouse, Shuaibu said the handover aligns with the memorandum of understanding (MoU), between Customs and NAFDAC.
He emphasized that collaboration among security and regulatory agencies is critical in preventing the smuggling of harmful products into the country.
The seized items, packed in sacks and cartons, included Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra.
“Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness. The potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be underrated,” Shuaibu warned, assuring that Customs will continue to intercept unsafe drugs before they reach Nigerian markets.
He added that more expired drugs would be handed over to NAFDAC as investigations continue, noting that the joint effort sets “a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring only safe and effective medications are available to Nigerians.”
