Onitsha Medicine Market hands over fake, expired drugs worth N430m to NAFDAC

The leadership of the Ogbo Ogwu Medicine Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, has taken a significant step towards sanitizing the market by handing over fake, expired, and other unwholesome drugs valued at more than N430 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

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We are collaborating with NAFDAC to sanitise the market. The only challenge we face is from those whose illegal businesses have been disrupted. They have resorted to propaganda, threats and attempts to frustrate our leadership, but we remain determined to eliminate fake and unwholesome drugs from this market.

These drugs were seized by the market's task force during routine enforcement operations between December 2025 and June 2026. Some traders also voluntarily submitted expired products for proper disposal. The confiscated items included banned substances, counterfeit drugs, and products deemed unfit for sale.

Mr. Chukwuleta Ndubisi, Chairman of the market's Caretaker Committee, affirmed the leadership's commitment to eradicating illicit pharmaceutical products, despite facing resistance from individuals involved in the illegal drug trade. He noted that the market's enforcement team conducts regular surveillance to identify and confiscate prohibited products, ensuring that no banned drugs enter circulation.

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The drugs comprised items seized by the market task force as well as expired products voluntarily surrendered by traders for destruction.

Ndubisi highlighted a growing trend of traders voluntarily surrendering expired drugs, indicating increased compliance. However, he alleged that efforts to clean up the market have attracted opposition from a cartel disrupting their illegal businesses, leading to propaganda and threats. NAFDAC's Deputy Director, Mr. Omoyeni Tunji, commended the market leadership for their cooperation, confirming that the agency would proceed with the destruction of the confiscated drugs in Awka, Anambra State.

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More than 192 pharmaceutical products remain banned from sale in Nigerian markets, stressing that NAFDAC would continue to work closely with the market leadership to prevent such products from finding their way into circulation.