The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its operatives have seized suspected counterfeit malaria drugs worth N1.2 billion in Lagos.
In a statement on Friday, NAFDAC said operatives intercepted 277 cartons of the fake drug named Malamal Forte in a warehouse in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of the Lagos metropolis.
The agency said the counterfeit drugs were illegally imported from China, disguised as spare parts, and concealed in cartons labelled Diclofenac Potassium 50mg.
“NAFDAC has intercepted 277 cartons of counterfeit and unregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs, valued at over ₦1.2 billion, in a warehouse located in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of Lagos State,” the statement reads.
“The fake drugs, which were concealed in cartons labelled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg, were illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China.
“They were falsely declared as spare parts in the shipping container.”
Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s director-general (DG), said the agency remains determined to rid the country of fake and substandard medicines.
“This seizure is part of NAFDAC’s sustained nationwide operation to protect public health and ensure only safe, quality medicines are available to Nigerians,” she said.
