NAFDAC nabs fake drug, wine, powdered milk manufacturers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested five persons for alleged illegal production, distribution and counterfeiting of Codeine Cough Syrup, Archilin, wines, powdered milk, among others. Addressing journalists in Lagos on its regulatory and enforcement activities, the Acting director General NAFDAC, Yetunde Oni said those arrested include: Mrs. Chika Nwaemeka Nwoye, Mr. Ebuka Ojeani Nelson, Mr. Udoka Offor, Mr. Emeka Mbonu and Mr. Christopher Nnabuihe.

According to Oni, Nwoye, who was the South East Area Sales Manager for Archy Pharmaceutical Limited, was arrested at her residence in Delta State on the 29th June, 2017, adding that the suspect led the team to the shop Ebuka.

“Several cartons of the fake product were found at the premises of Mr Ebuka aka Ebu-Young. The two suspects who were obviously taking advantage of the market opportunities provided by the original products have been arraigned in court. While Christopher buys already printed 440g packs from Ariaria Relieve Market Aba, Abia state from where he takes them to Calabar for refilling and seal them up with candle light,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Offor was said to have been arrested in his residence in Abia State where he confessed he was in possession of COF and COLD with Codeine syrup, 28 cartons x 50 bottles x 100ml and also produces the Cough Syrup in a one room rented apartment at Asaba, Delta State. Emeka, is being arrested for the production and sale of unregistered Mist Potassium Citrate B.P.C in Kaduna, Nwoye and Ebuka for sale and distribution of fake Archilin with Codeine Cough Syrup, while Christopher for production and sales of fake peak powder in Calabar metropolis.

The DG noted that the agency had recently issued a public notice in some newspapers warning Importers, Distributors and Marketers of some NAFDAC regulated products contained in the Import Prohibition list, which include: vegetable oil and fat, cane or beer sugar and chemically pure sucrose in solid form containing added flavouring or colouring matter in retail packs, cocoa butter, powder and cakes, spaghetti or noodles, fruit juice in retail packs, water including mineral waters and aerated waters containing added sugar or sweetening matter or flavoured, ice snow, other non-alcoholic beverages, among others.