The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed over 11,000 shops and arrested 40 individuals in its ongoing nationwide clampdown on fake and substandard medicines.

Briefing journalists on Saturday in Lagos, NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the enforcement had been planned for over a year as a covert operation.

NAFDAC began enforcement operations at the Idumota open drug market, the Ariaria drug market in Aba, and the Bridge Market in Onitsha on February 10.

It noted that three markets, which distribute over 80 per cent of medications nationwide, were targeted to eliminate falsified and unregistered drugs.

Adeyeye revealed that over 20 trucks of substandard drugs were evacuated from various locations in Aba, at least 30 trucks were seized in Onitsha, and 27 trucks were removed from the Idumota market.

“We are winding down our operations in Aba because we have almost completed the evacuation.

“Our next phase is to inspect shops individually to identify those operating legally and those who are not registered.

“We have closed over 4,000 shops in Onitsha, 3,027 in Lagos, and another 4,000 in Aba since the commencement of these operations.

“In Onitsha, we have completed only 20 per cent of the work. We need to carry out a thorough operation because some traders, although genuine, are not registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).”

NAFDAC’s Director-General commended the leadership of the National Security Agency for providing adequate security, noting that their support made the operation possible.

“Three years ago, some of our officers were nearly killed while attempting a similar operation in Onitsha.

“Our enforcement teams in these three locations were able to carry out their duties without fear.

“The NSA provided us with 400 officers in Onitsha, 350 in Aba, and over 250 in Lagos to ensure the safety of our personnel,” she said.