The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully intercepted counterfeit malaria medications worth over ₦1.2 billion in Lagos. The agency shared this information in a statement on Friday through its official X account, revealing that its operatives conducted a raid on a warehouse located in the Ilasa-Oshodi area.
During the raid, they uncovered 277 cartons of fake Malamal Forte malaria drugs. NAFDAC stated, “We have intercepted 277 cartons of counterfeit and unregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs valued at over ₦1.2 billion, found in a warehouse in Ilasa-Oshodi, Lagos State.”
According to the agency, these unregistered drugs were hidden inside cartons labeled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg, which were illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China. To avoid detection, the shipment was falsely declared as spare parts.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, described this seizure as part of a wider effort to combat counterfeit drugs. She stated, “This interception is a key aspect of NAFDAC’s ongoing nationwide operations aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that only safe, quality medicines are available to Nigerians.”
She elaborated that the agency has ramped up monitoring efforts at ports and warehouses throughout the country, collaborating with various security agencies to prevent smugglers from flooding the market with harmful products.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the backing from the government has bolstered NAFDAC’s battle against counterfeiters. The statement highlighted her commitment, with full support from the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health, to eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines from Nigeria.
NAFDAC warned importers and distributors that it remains steadfast in its mission to cleanse the market of dangerous drugs that could threaten lives. The circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines poses a serious public health issue in Nigeria, a country where malaria represents one of the highest disease burdens globally.
According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria accounts for about 27 percent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of malaria deaths. Public health experts caution that the presence of fake antimalarial drugs not only endangers lives but also contributes to treatment resistance, jeopardizing years of progress in tackling the disease.
In recent years, NAFDAC has intensified its efforts against drug counterfeiting, with previous operations resulting in the seizure of fake antibiotics, painkillers, and antimalarials worth billions of naira. A report by PUNCH Online in 2024 revealed that in Ibadan, Oyo State, the agency destroyed smuggled, expired, and counterfeit drugs estimated at around ₦11 billion, highlighting the ongoing challenge and the high stakes involved in protecting Nigeria’s healthcare system.