The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted counterfeit malaria drugs worth over N1.2 billion during a major raid in Lagos.
The fake medicines, identified as Malamal Forte, were discovered in 277 cartons at a warehouse in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of the state. Officials revealed that the products were illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China and smuggled into the country under false declarations.
To evade detection, the counterfeit malaria drugs were concealed inside cartons labelled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg and declared as “spare parts” on the shipping documents.
Confirming the operation, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the agency remains committed to eliminating substandard and falsified medicines from the Nigerian market. She added that the clampdown is fully backed by the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health.
“This seizure is part of our sustained efforts to protect Nigerians from the dangers of fake and unregistered medicines. We are determined to ensure only safe, quality and effective drugs are allowed into the country,” she assured.
The raid forms part of NAFDAC’s nationwide operation to tackle counterfeit products, a problem that has endangered millions of lives across Nigeria.
With malaria being one of the country’s leading health challenges, the agency stressed that circulation of fake anti-malaria drugs poses a serious risk to public health.