By Chioma obinna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday uncovered another illegal herbal products factory in Agege, Lagos, where three unregistered products were allegedly manufactured under unhygienic conditions, with one bearing a registration number belonging to a registered cough syrup.
The agency sealed the facility, evacuated the products and arrested the manager, identified as Abulaziz Sayidu, for interrogation, while the alleged owner, Ashietu Adams, was said to have fled.
The Deputy Director in charge of the Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Pharm. Edith Joseph, who spoke during an inspection of the facility said the agency received intelligence on October 16 concerning the alleged production of Aishetu Adams Bitters with a fake NAFDAC registration number, prompting surveillance and intelligence gathering that led to the discovery of the facility concealed inside a residential building.
“What we found was shocking. The facility was in a very poor and unhygienic condition. Look at the water they use for production and the environment where the manufacturing takes place. The products are manufactured outdoors, in the open air. I can tell you that this facility is not approved by NAFDAC,” she said.
The products recovered were identified as Ashietu Adams Herbal Mixture for sexually transmitted diseases, Ashietu Adams Blood Purifier and another herbal preparation purportedly used for high blood pressure.
Joseph said none of the three products was registered with NAFDAC, adding that the registration number displayed on the blood purifier belonged to a registered cough syrup.
“The number belongs to another registered product, which is a cough syrup. They simply copied the number and placed it on their product to deceive Nigerians,” she said.
According to her, the products were manufactured without regulatory approval, while their packaging lacked the manufacturer’s name and a verifiable address to establish their origin.
She said the agency had sealed the facility pending further investigation and taken the recovered products to its office.
Joseph disclosed that Sayidu claimed to have worked with Adams for about a year and assisted in managing the business, particularly when she travelled. The manager reportedly told officials that Adams, whom he identified as a Ghanaian woman, had travelled to Ghana.
The agency said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the operation and the whereabouts of the alleged owner.
NAFDAC WARNS CONSUMERS
Joseph warned Nigerians against relying solely on NAFDAC registration numbers when purchasing herbal medicines and other regulated products, noting that counterfeiters could copy legitimate numbers to give unregistered products the appearance of regulatory approval.
She advised consumers to verify product details through NAFDAC’s online verification platforms and the agency’s Greenbook.
“If the name displayed does not match the product being presented, consumers should know that something is wrong,” she said.
She urged consumers, particularly those in rural communities with limited internet access, to visit the nearest NAFDAC office for assistance in verifying the authenticity of products before purchase or consumption.
The deputy director identified the absence of a valid registration number, manufacturer’s name and verifiable address as major warning signs, adding that the agency was intensifying surveillance and enforcement operations against illegal manufacturing outlets.
Also speaking during the inspection, Deputy Director of Public Relations, NAFDAC, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor, called for increased public participation in the fight against counterfeit and unregistered products.
Obiazikwor warned landlords and property owners against allowing their premises to be used for illegal manufacturing activities, noting that those found to be aiding criminal operations could face prosecution.
She urged property owners to monitor activities on their premises and report suspicious operations to the appropriate authorities.
“We cannot fight this battle alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play in identifying and reporting places where illegal manufacturing activities are taking place,” she said.
Obiazikwor said NAFDAC was expanding public awareness through radio programmes, multilingual jingles and community sensitisation campaigns, including its “NAFDAC and Your Health” programme.
She said the agency also conducted awareness campaigns in local government areas, churches and schools to educate Nigerians on how to identify suspicious products and report illegal manufacturing activities.
Emphasising the importance of product traceability, she said consumers should check details such as the manufacturer’s address and batch number rather than relying solely on a registration number.
“These products do not have batch numbers or the manufacturer’s address. These are important details that help establish the identity and traceability of a product,” she said.
She added that the agency was working towards stiffer penalties for offences involving the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and unregistered products.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities, assuring them that reports would be handled discreetly.
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