NAFDAC parades 2 suspects in forgery of the agency’s documents

By Doyin Ojosipe

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has made its first move in the year 2015, as it paraded 2 suspects involved in the forgery of the agency’s documents and operating illegal production facilities that poses serious threat to public health, while intercepting over five containers of suspected fake and unregistered drugs worth about N270 million.

In a statement issued yesterday, the NAFDAC DG explained that the containers which were seized with the help of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) were filled with “Unregistered Ziagra and Heragra brands of sildenafil citrate tablets are usually registered in 25 milligrammes, 50 milligrammes and 100 milligrammes. However, these unregistered products came at strength of 120 milligrammes. Unregistered Tramadol came in as 200 milligrammes quick action and 200 milligrammes. The reference strength for Tramadol is 50 milligrammes, 100 milligrammes and 200 milligrammes (slow release dosage)

Dr orhii also noted that other intercepted drugs, which are mainly controlled drugs in Nigeria have been seized because they have not been tested by NAFDAC neither have they been registered, “Sildenafil citrate tablet is a prescription only medication (POM) for managing erectile dysfunction, Tramadol is also a POM for managing severe pain and under strict controlling Nigeria. These products have not been tested and certified by NAFDAC. Therefore, their quality and safety are not guaranteed. But for the timely intervention of NAFDAC, they would have found their way into circulation,” he added.

The DG said the seized drugs were highly dangerous as they could lead to various health complications like; chest pain, uncomfortable penile erection, irregular heart-beat, increased blood pressure or stroke, ulceration of the gastro-intestinal tract, death tolerance and dependence, while an overdose of the drugs could lead to liver disease, kidney disease, swelling of the face, swelling of the tongue and skin disease.

Meanwhile the two suspects who were paraded, were involved in smuggling in of a container of highly- toxic weed killer identified as “Paraqua.”

However, one of the suspects denied drug adulteration as he explained that he made research before making his herbal drugs but could not register his products due to finance.