The counterfeit and unwholesome products which were destroyed include drugs/vaccines, food, packaging materials, pesticides, labels, chemicals, cosmetics and medical devices.
“Drug counterfeiting has become a menace globally.
In 2001, the prevalence of counterfeit drugs was put at over 40 per cent; some people say 60 per cent.
But under the leadership of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, NAFDAC waged a ceaseless battle against drug counterfeiting and we have been able to bring down the incidence of counterfeit drugs from over 40 per cent down to 16.7 per cent in 2005,” said Dr.
Paul Orhii, NAFDAC Director-General during the destruction exercise at ESWAMA landfill in Enugu.
Orhii, who was represented by the Director Special Duties of the agency, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, said the prevalence of drug counterfeiting erodes the confidence of people in the healthcare delivery system.
“I must tell you that we have not rested even after the demise of Prof. Akunyili.
With the emergence of Dr. Paul Orhii as our leader, we have continued to fight and win the war against this menace,” he said.
NAFDAC said it will continue to fight drug counterfeiting and other related hazardous practices to safeguard the health of Nigerians.
