-Hand over ₦3.7bn expired pharmaceuticals
Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has renewed its collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in the fight against counterfeit and substandard products, pledging to intensify efforts to safeguard public health.
The Unit Head, Comptroller Muhammed Shuaibu, emphasised the importance of this partnership during a courtesy visit from NAFDAC officials.
He stated that the partnership reflects the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’s vision of consolidating inter-agency cooperation.
“When our CGC first assumed office, he emphasised consolidation and collaboration. He acknowledged that there is already an existing process, and we only have to build on it. Our synergy is not just with NAFDAC but with every government agency. I want to assure you that whatever agreement is signed at the top, we at the strategic level follow it up. The truth is, there is an urgent need to eradicate substandard products”, he noted.
On his part, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, praised CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, describing him as a man with excellence in his DNA adding that his visionary leadership enabled both agencies to form an alliance that created an MOU between NAFDAC and Customs.
Also speaking, the Director of Ports Inspection, Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, highlighted NAFDAC’s efforts to align with global standards. He noted that there is no room for importing falsified products anymore, and perpetrators will have no choice but to channel their income to legitimate businesses.
The visit concluded with Comptroller Shuaibu’s official handover of expired pharmaceutical products worth ₦3.7 billion to NAFDAC, underscoring the agencies’ joint resolve to eradicate counterfeit and unsafe medications from circulation.
