The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), through its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has emphatically stated its unwavering commitment to eradicating banned, counterfeit, unregistered, and harmful drugs from Nigeria. This declaration comes amidst accusations that the agency unfairly levied N700,000 charges on certain traders. Prof. Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC's recent enforcement actions in Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha open drug markets, which saw the seizure of illicit drugs valued at over one trillion naira, were essential measures to protect public health. She explained that the imposed charges are investigative fees, significantly reduced from N5 million to N200,000 for selling unregistered drugs and from N2 million to N500,000 for storage violations, following extensive deliberation. The NAFDAC boss confirmed that over 2500 traders operating 3500 shops in Onitsha's Ogbogwu market have resumed business after paying these charges and removing non-compliant drugs. Prof. Adeyeye stressed that the sealing of shops and the imposition of these charges adhered strictly to due process, aligning with gazetted Federal Government regulations. She reiterated that NAFDAC will not yield to pressure and will not unconstitutionally reopen shops that have not complied with its directives, asserting that the agency will not overlook "evil acts" that have tragically claimed countless lives due to fake and substandard medicines. Prof. Adeyeye attributed the propaganda against NAFDAC to traders involved in bringing banned narcotics into the country who refuse to adhere to national laws. She implored Nigerians to avoid politicizing the issue, assuring the public that NAFDAC will continue to act within its mandate to safeguard the nation's health, always prioritizing the best interests of the country.
