The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) raided hawkers of harmful drugs at the Nyanya/Mararaba axis of Abuja on Friday.

Addressing journalists after the exercise, the team leader of the operation, Umar Suleiman, said the operation followed earlier surveillance carried out by officers of the agency’s enforcement unit.

Mr Suleiman, an assistant chief regulatory officer, Federal Task Force, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, said the operation was also to confirm if Baban Aisha Herbal products were still in the market.

Weeks ago, the agency raided the Baban Aisha production factory along Abuja/Kaduna road for selling unregistered herbal products.

NAFDAC had alleged that Baban Aisha had only registered some of his herbal medicine, using the privilege of those to sell unregistered ones.

The agency also raided and sealed the Al-Nassar Islamic Herbal medicine store, No. 151 Minna Road, Suleja, Niger State.

Meanwhile, Mr Suleiman said those advertising Baban Aisha products were not permitted for now.He said the agency was able to nab five of the hawkers of the harmful drugs, and one of them escaped.

“Most of the drugs we seized in the Suleja shop are sex enhancers (Manpower), sex enhancers drugs like Night Rocket, Black Diamond, Double Rocket, AK-47 and many more.

“We also seized other herbal preparation medicine such like transformer, maibulala, maibusher.

“At that particular shop alone in Suleja, drugs found there worth N35 million, and for the hawkers, we have an estimate of N10 million,” Mr Suleiman said.

He said NAFDAC plans to extend its search operations to other regulated products like food, cosmetics, medical devices, detergent, package water and chemicals.

He said the agency would soon commence its search mission on pharmaceutical stores and warehouses to rid the country of counterfeit and fake drugs.

Embugushiki Godiya, desk officer, Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Task Force, NAFDAC, said the raid would send a signal to other people planning to sell the same unwholesome medicines.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Monday, announced the arrest of the popular Baban Aisha herbal medicine manufacturer, Alhaji Salisu Sani, for operating with an expired licence and running an illegal promotion of the company’s products in Kaduna.

This was even as the agency disclosed that it has commenced a crackdown on illegal herbal manufacturers and vendors to control the random use of illicit drugs.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, reiterated that the agency has a duty to regulate the manufacture, distribution, advertisement and use of drugs, foods and chemicals to protect Nigerians coming down with organ damage, stroke or sudden death.

“The man manufacturing Baban Aisha herbal medicine, Alhaji Salisu Sani, has been arrested and is now in custody. Again, we cannot divorce ourselves from these products. We may not use them because we are informed. What about the fate of other Nigerians who use them?” she said.

Explaining the event that led to the arrest of Sani, Adeyeye said NAFDAC received concerns about the safety of Sacra Herbs oral liquid, popularly called Baban Aisha, following an investigative report.

The Professor of Pharmaceutics noted that further investigation revealed that the Kaduna manufacturer has been churning out unapproved herbal concoctions long after his licence expired.

She said,

“The agency received an application from Sacra Multi-Links Ltd, Layin Alhaji Hamza Mai Bread, Tafa Kagarko LGA in Kaduna State for the registration of its product Sacra Herbs oral liquid.

Following regulatory protocols, we granted listing approval with NAFDAC registration number A7-2590L for the Sacra Herbs oral liquid for the purpose of management of pile and associated pains.

The notification of the registration of the product was granted on September 6, 2018, valid till September 12, 2019.

“The company, on August 12, 2020, applied for renewal of its licence. But following a regulatory audit of the company’s production facility, compliance directives were issued to them for non-conformers observed in the facility which it was expected to correct.

The company, however, did not correct the lapses observed, following which the product registration licence was not renewed.”

Continuing, NAFDAC stated that ‘Sacra herb’, which licence expired in 2019, was originally approved for the management of pile and associated pains but it discovered that Sacra Multi Links went beyond bound the prescription by further adding ‘for treatment of waist pains, typhoid, ulcer, pile and toilet infection to the Baban Aisha product.’

Following outrage on social media over the company’s unethical activities, the agency’s investigation and enforcement team carried out surveillance that led to the sealing of the factory and the arrest of two staff members.

“The following day Sacra Multi Links owner, Salisu Sani, reported to our office in Kaduna. When his vehicle was searched, the following herbal drugs were evacuated from the vehicle: Sacra Herbs oral liquid and two additional unregistered herbal preparations namely Baban Aisha manpower & delay (aphrodisiac) and others. All the products found with the managing director and others found in his company were sent to the NAFDAC laboratory for analysis.

“We have commenced a nationwide mop-up of the Sacra Herbs in circulation. We have also intensified the crackdown on all illegal manufacturers and distributors of herbal preparation and other unregistered preparations, with a view to bringing perpetrators to book and minimise the usage of the substance.

“I would like to appeal to all, particularly the vulnerable group, to desist from the use of this dangerous herbal preparation. I want to assure Nigerians that NAFDAC is doing everything to ensure that only safe medicine and wholesome food of the right quality are sold to our citizens,” she said.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned two Anambra-based businessmen before the Federal High Court, Awka, for the alleged sale and distribution of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products.

The two suspects, Emmanuel Ejidike (49) of Tommaj Investment Limited and Anayo Okoye (42) of No. 12 Vital Line, both of Head Bridge Market, Onitsha, were slammed with five-count charge each for the alleged offences.

Mr Ejidike, in suit no FHC/AWK//C/167/23, was charged with possessing and selling fake Ampiclox capsules, Krisscin 500mg, Amoxil 500mg, Artesunate, new divine (Chloramphenicol capsules) around March 31 this year.

He was said to have committed the offences in contravention of Section (1) a of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Miscellaneous Unwholesome Processed Food Act Cap C34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section (3)1.

The defendant was also accused of selling unregistered Primolut N 5mg, Combiat 20/120, Amoxy Capsules 500mg, Aldomet (Methyldopa) tablets, Coartem Augmentin 625 mg thereby violating Section 1(1) of the Food and Related Act Cap F33, LFN, 2004 punishable under Sections 6 and 8.

In the second suit, FHC/AWK/C/166/2, Mr Okoye was accused of possessing, selling and distributing fake Basslox capsules Ladinax tablets, Col Caps (Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg), Colld Cap (Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg) and Libumol Triple ActionThe prosecution said the offences ran contrary to Section 1 (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 (1) of the same Act.

“That you did sell unregistered drugs Ladinax tablets, Col Caps (Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg), Colld Cap (Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg) and Libumol Triple Action.

“That you committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) of the Food, Drug and Related Products Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Sections 6 and 8 of the same Act,” it said.B

oth suspects pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Jumbo Adumen, prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the hearing of the cases.

However, their defence counsel, Emmanuel Okechukwu and A.C. Akonanya, objected, pointing out that the offences were bailable.

In his ruling, Justice Fatun Riman granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N5 million and one surety with deposed affidavit of means and three years tax clearance.

Mr Ejidike’s case was adjourned to July 5 and Mr Okoye’s was adjourned to July 11.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that most products exported from Nigeria are rejected abroad.

NAFDAC’s Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this while commissioning the agency’s new office complex at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Adeyeye said these rejections lead to huge financial losses to the exporters and the country at large.

She said;

“Over 70 per cent of the products that leave our ports get rejected. Considering the money spent on getting those products out of the country, it is a double loss for both the exporter and the country.”

The NAFDAC DG also added that collaboration between NAFDAC and other agencies could help tackle export and import issues the country faces.

On Thursday, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sealed a facility of imported contraband tomato paste distribution warehouse in Rivers.

Adeniran Kazeem, the NAFDAC assistant chief regulatory officer, Apapa Lagos, made this known to journalists in Port Harcourt.

Mr Kazeem said this after the arrest of Mr Obiora John, the Managing Director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited in Trans-Amadi Layout, who allegedly imported and distributed contraband tomato paste, which is in the federal government list of contraband importation products in the country.

Mr Kazeem also said Obiora John allegedly removed the seal placed on his facility by the agency in November 2022.

“Upon our interrogation, we noticed that the company removed the agency seal placed at the facility in November 2022 without the agency’s approval,” Mr Kazeem explained.

“The company’s accountant told us that the company had stopped the importation and distribution of contraband tomato paste since 2020, but we found out that the imported tomato paste seen at the facility was manufactured in 2022.”

He added,

“We also found out from the company’s records that there have been importation and distribution of the products to date.”

The NAFDAC official said the agency’s aim of raiding and sealing contraband drinks and food distribution companies in the country was to promote, encourage and create an enabling environment for local manufacturers.

He advised the public to stop patronising the distributors of imported contraband products in the stores and open the market, revealing that the suspect had been arrested.

Obiora John, the managing director of Integrated Wholesales Services Limited at Trans-Amadi industrial layout, said the company was operating a sketchy business to hold their clients till the company starts production at the newly built production factory.

Mr John said he removed the seal because he thought that he could remove the seal after payment to the agency.

Nigerian men have been warned by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control against using PrimeZen Black 6000mg, a male performance enhancement capsule recently recalled from the market.

NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye said Volt Candy, the pharmaceutical company that produced the drug is voluntarily recalling the PrimeZen Black 6000mg capsule alongside its 2000mg due to undeclared ingredients in it.

Adeyeye said;

“The recall followed the analysis of Food and Drug Agency (FDA) of the United States of America, an FDA, which found the PrimeZen capsules to contain undeclared tadalafil and sildenafil.

“Sildenafil and tadalafil are phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitors found in FDA-approved products for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

“The presence of sildenafil and tadalafil in PrimeZen Black 6000mg capsules renders them unapproved drugs for which safety and efficacy have not been established and, therefore, subject to recall.

“Risk Statement, PrimeZen Black 6000 capsules containing sildenafil and tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may cause a significant drop in blood pressure that may be life-threatening.

“People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates.

“Among the adult male population who are most likely to use these products, adult males who use nitrates for cardiac conditions, are most at risk from these products.

“The product details are as follows; PrimeZEN Black 6000 male enhancement capsules, manufactured by Volt Candy, 324 S. Diamond Bar Blvd #212, USA.”

The lot Number: NPINPB 1003, UPC code: 728175521891, expiration date is Aug.16, 2025 for PrimeZen Black 6000mg being marketed online as a dietary supplement for male enhancement and is packaged in a blister card with one capsule.

The product can be identified by the card color in black with the name on it PrimeZen Black 6000.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of the drug — Weight Rapid Loss Capsule.

This was contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Jan. 22, in Abuja.

Adeyeye stated that the drug has been found to have potential to cause cancer.

The NAFDAC boss added that result of laboratory analysis showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognised as unsafe.

She added that the capsule, being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement” and sold through social media platforms like Instagram, also contain microbial growth above permissible limits.

She stated that “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA.

Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.

“NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product.

“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office. Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

The director-general urged the public to also report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded on android and IOS stores.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested one Michael Owerekwe, an importer of counterfeit Super Delicieur Cooking Margarine.

Speaking on Monday at the NAFDAC office in Lagos, the agency’s acting Director-General, Mrs Monica Eimunjeze, added that a distributor of the banned potassium bromate tablets, Joseph Rapoluchukwu, was arrested on December 5, 2022.

Eimunjeze warned Nigerians to be wary of the injurious products.She stated that 115 cartons of potassium bromate tablets with a street value of N28,750,000.00 were found on Rapoluchukwu when NAFDAC officers raided a warehouse in the Apongbon area of Lagos Island.

Eimunjeze revealed that 46-year-old Owerekwe, of 12 Boundary Street, Aba, Abia State, imported 400 cartons of the counterfeit Super Delicieur cooking margarine from Dubai and cleared it at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.

She added;

“Also discovered in (Rapoluchukwu’s) warehouse was a counterfeit EDC Bread Improver, packed in sachets with a fake NAFDAC registration number of 01-4242, valued at N300,000.

“As you are aware, potassium bromate is a banned flour improver globally because it is known, as a cancer-causing agent. It can also cause kidney failure, among other ailments.

“Owerekwe, at the point of his arrest, upon seeing the operatives, he destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him,” she added.

He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested, and taken into custody.

“He confirmed that he did, in fact, import 400 cartons of the product from Dubai via an online group purchase and cleared them at Onne Port, Port Harcourt. He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing agent, whose name he did not yet disclose.

“He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.

“Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.

“The public is urged to keep an eye out for these harmful products anywhere in the country and to report any suspected fake, counterfeit, or unwholesome product to any nearby NAFDAC office.”

Claims of children in Nigeria being administered a vaccine that contains 40 percent mercury has been debunked by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye who also debunked claim of the vaccine being prescribed by a foreign organisation, noted that mercury is a metal and is not used as an element or as a component of vaccines.

Adeyeye also said that the basic components of vaccines are antigens, adjuvants to improve immune response, antibiotics to prevent contamination during manufacturing, preservatives and stabilizers.

The NAFDAC DG who stated that there is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site, also acknowledged that in July 1999, the Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure.

Adeyeye revealed that Nigeria still receives some multi-dose vaccines containing thimerosal but at an accepted concentration as it has not been proscribed by the World Health Organisation.

She said;

“Thimerosal, a mercuric compound which is a preservative used in multi dose vaccines, contains a different form of mercury called ethyl mercury.

“As a vaccine preservative, thimerosal is used in concentrations of 0.003% to 0.01%, (for example, thimerosal content allowed in vaccine is between 30 parts to maximum of 100 parts out of million parts of the vaccine formula).

“Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials (vials containing more than one dose) of medicines and vaccines.”