From right: Controller, Federal Operations Unit FOU zone A, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed S. Shuaibu hands over the seized drugs to NAFDAC Director, Enforcement, Dr. Martin Iluyomade at the FOU Ikeja, Lagos office, Tuesday.

The Federal Operations Unit FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, has handed over three truck-loads of various expired pharmaceutical products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC. This is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding MoU, between both parties. The Duty Paid Value DPV of the expired drugs stood at (N3.8bn) N3,779,500,000.

Head of the FOU, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to his Ikeja office by the new NAFDAC Director in charge of enforcement and investigation, Dr. Martin Iluyomade.

The Comptroller, who addressed reporters at the government warehouse in Ikeja, Lagos, Tuesday, Shuaibu reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to upholding the terms of the MoU between the Customs and NAFDAC and promote their collaborative efforts.

He stated that the MoU marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against fake and counterfeit products.

“What we are witnessing today is a follow- up of the MoU,” he stated,

He further emphasised the importance of collaboration among regulatory and security agencies to continuously thwart the smuggling and importation of these harmful consignments.

According to him, a total of three trucks loaded with various brands of expired pharmaceutical products were handed over. They include items in sacks and cartons such as Hyergra, Royal Tablets 225, CSC Codine Syrup, Really Extral, Tramadol, Amlodipine, Milk Oil Flavour, and Firegra, among several others.

“The wide range of these products poses serious risks to public health if not properly regulated. The Duty Paid Value DPV of the expired pharmaceuticals stood at ₦3,779,500,000”, he said.

Comptroller Shuaibu assured that the Service remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications.

“Expired products must be handled with utmost seriousness. The potential risks to public health from expired or counterfeit products cannot be underrated”, he said.

He assured the public that the Service prioritises the health and safety of Nigerians by preventing expired or counterfeit drugs from circulating in the market. The handover, he noted, is not a one-off event, as more products will be transferred to NAFDAC following the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

He reiterated the importance of the continued collaboration between NCS and NAFDAC. “This collaborative effort sets a precedent for future actions aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medications are available to the Nigerian population,” he said

The new Director of enforcement of NAFDAC, Dr. Iluyomade, who received the consignments on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the MoU signed between the two government agencies.

Iluyomade lauded the ongoing collaboration, describing it as a “healthy and strategic partnership” and pledged that NAFDAC would redouble its efforts in the fight against the smuggling of counterfeit and fake pharmaceutical products into Nigeria.