The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed more than 3,000 shops in Lagos’ Idumota Open Drug Market in the first week of a major operation.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, February 16th, the agency detailed the alarming discoveries made during the raid. Officials found vaccines stored in dilapidated, unventilated rooms sealed with iron sheets, creating unsanitary conditions that pose serious health risks.
Large quantities of banned and dangerous drugs were also seized, including Analgin injections, diverted HIV antiretroviral medications, and expired medicines intended for illegal relabelling.
“In the first week of enforcement, NAFDAC screened and sealed over 3,000 shops within the Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos,” the statement read. “Among the discoveries were vaccines stored in dilapidated, unventilated rooms sealed with iron sheets in highly unsanitary conditions. Additionally, large consignments of banned products, including Analgin injections, diverted-free HIV antiretroviral drugs, expired medicines set for revalidation, and unregistered pharmaceuticals, were found.”
NAFDAC confirmed that it removed illicit pharmaceuticals equivalent to 12 truckloads from the market. Empty packs and cartons of expired, unregistered antimalarial injections were discovered in a packing shop, the vials having already been removed.
Furthermore, the agency reported finding “Ecstasy (MDMA or Molly), various brands of Codeine Cough Syrup and Tramadol 225” in a warehouse within the market, separate from the area designated for pharmaceutical products.
