NAFDAC confiscates three vehicles loaded with fake drugs in Asaba

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has confiscated three vehicles loaded with fake and substandard drugs in Asaba, Delta State.
Dr. Christiana Esenwah, Deputy Director, NAFDAC, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Asaba.
Esenwah, who heads Investigation and Enforcement on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs in South East/South South, said the NAFDAC team arrested five persons in connection with the seized items.
The official said the drivers of the vehicles were apprehended at Abraka Market, Asaba on the Asaba-Onitsha highway, following a tip-off.
She said the vehicles were loaded at the Bridge Head market, Onitsha, in neighbouring Anambra State.
She said: ”We intercepted three vehicles loaded with fake, adulterated, unregistered and improperly stored medication.
“We got some banned and controlled products inside the trucks, which were loaded and were enroute Kano and other places.”
Esenwah said the drugs impounded included Tramadol, Panadol Extra, Depo-Provera injection, Insulin, Dano vaccine, Talita Super and Tetanus Antitoxin.
She further said investigation was ongoing to get other culprits involved in the haulage of the fake and substandard products, adding that those arrested would be handled according to the law.
The NAFDAC boss promised that the team was ready to work with the general public to curb the menace of fake and substandard drugs in the zone.
Esenwah said: “Fake and substandard drugs account for many deaths recorded daily, which could have been prevented if genuine products were used.
“The Panadol Extra tablets found here are fake and we have veterinary products that are also fake; they are not registered with NAFDAC.”
Esenwah called on Nigerians to continue to support the agency in the fight against fake, substandard and adulterated products by availing it with useful information.