The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), yesterday, paraded two suspects for revalidation of expired products and engaging in selling counterfeit drugs.
Director General (DG) of the Agency, Prof. Christiana Mojishola Adeyeye, who paraded the suspects, in Lagos, said a case of importation, distribution and sale of unregistered and expired G-man organic energy drink was investigated by the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Asaba, Delta State.
She stressed that one Okeke Udeze Francis, living at No: 28 Otigba Crescent, Government Reserved Area (G.R.A), Onitsha, Anambra State was arrested with expired G-Man organic energy drink in Onitsha.
The DG said the investigation led to a warehouse in Aba, Abia State, where evidence of revalidation of the expiry date of the drink was established.
“The case was subsequently transferred to the office of the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos, where Okeke admitted to dealing in G-man energy drink. He said he got the product from one Uchenna Nwachi through one Mr. Collins in Aba, Abia State.
“Following this revelation, investigation was intensified to get the other suspects arrested.
“Further investigation revealed that the violative G-man energy drink was manufactured in Germany and was imported into Nigeria when some of the products were already expired, and some were close to expiry and later expired after importation,” she said.
Adeyeye said the expiry dates on the products when imported were December 18, 2020 and December 18, 2022.
“The violative products were sent to Nigeria by one Paschal Emeka Udo, who is said to be based in the United Kingdom.
“The agency arrested another suspect for importation of fake Basslox capsules (ampicillin 250mg+cloxacillin 250mg), an infamous counterfeit medicines and narcotics drugs. The suspect was identified Mr. Emmanuel Obidike.
“The painstaking surveillance and investigation on the reported case of Basslox capsules led to the arrest of one Anayo Okoye who eventually led us to Emmanuel Obidike, who is a notorious importer of counterfeit medicines.
“Obidike is known in the underworld counterfeit drugs trade as ‘Emma to-match’, which is a fall out of his criminal act of counterfeiting popular brands of drugs,” Adeyeye added.
ALSO, the DG reiterated that the country had long ago banned importation of Indomie instant noodles and investigation by the agency revealed that Indomie instant noodles made in Nigeria are safe for consumption because they have been registered by NAFDAC.
She said the investigation was occasioned by the recalls of indomie instant noodles ‘special chicken flavour’ by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.
-theguardian
