The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a major operation dealing in expired drugs in Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State.
It was gathered that during the raid, officials seized large quantities of expired medications being repackaged for sale.
However, several individuals were arrested in connection with the illicit trade, but the prime suspect, believed to be the mastermind, remains at large.
Newsmen learnt that the facility, located near the Ariaria International Market, was being used as a hub for repackaging and revalidating expired medicines for resale.
The agency’s enforcement team raided the premises, which comprised multiple buildings filled with pharmaceutical products of dubious quality.
In a statement released on Friday, NAFDAC disclosed that the seized items included expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments.
Officials also discovered sophisticated machines used to rebrand packaging and alter expiry dates, allowing the illicit operators to pass off the expired drugs as safe for consumption.
NAFDAC said, “During the raid, some individuals were arrested, but the prime suspect remains at large. Despite efforts to reach him, he showed no concern for his detained family members.
“The operation was in collaboration with security agencies, as part of the federal government’s intensified crackdown on counterfeit medicines.
NAFDAC reaffirms its commitment to eradicating the circulation of substandard and falsified drugs in Nigeria.
The agency added that it currently reviewing its laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals and organisations involved in the production and distribution of dangerous pharmaceutical products
