PORT HARCOURT — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a targeted enforcement operation against the distribution of counterfeit eye drops in a South-South state, following reports of adverse health effects among unsuspecting users.
The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Francis Ononiwu, who led the operation on Tuesday, said the crackdown was part of NAFDAC’s intensified efforts to protect public health and rid Nigerian markets of dangerous and substandard pharmaceuticals.
He revealed that the team stormed multiple pharmaceutical outlets and unlicensed vendors in major commercial areas of the state capital, where several cartons of unregistered and falsified eye drop products were confiscated.
“These fake products pose a serious risk to eye health and general wellbeing. NAFDAC will continue to pursue those endangering lives through the illicit trade of unapproved medicines,” Ononiwu said.
The agency also arrested three suspects believed to be part of a distribution ring supplying fake ophthalmic drugs to retail outlets and street markets. They are currently in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
According to NAFDAC, laboratory analysis confirmed that the seized eye drops contained harmful agents and lacked active pharmaceutical ingredients required for safe treatment of ocular conditions.
Residents were urged to purchase medications only from licensed pharmacies and to report any suspicious products to the agency’s official complaint channels.
