By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reactivated the Federal Taskforce to combat counterfeit and fake drugs, as well as unwholesome processed foods.

Prof. Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, inaugurated the committee on Friday in Abuja.

He said the initiative was crucial to Nigeria?s efforts to confront a ?pervasive and growing threat? posed by the actions of certain individuals.

?The idea is also in line with the Renewed Hope aspirations of President Bola Tinubu, that Nigeria can be a peaceful, prosperous and people-oriented country, especially by making the health sector attractive,? Pate stated.

The minister stressed the need for strong governance in the health sector.

?For the health sector to have a clean bill of administration, there is a need to strengthen its governance by having effective and efficient regulators.

?NAFDAC is one of those regulators with whom we have been working. The goal of NAFDAC is to strengthen its regulatory capacity, hence the creation of this taskforce. This is not unique to Nigeria,? he explained.

Pate outlined the risks posed by counterfeit medicines.

?How does this taskforce relate to NAFDAC? Primarily, the agency regulates drugs, food and other items. Infectious diseases can affect someone who has hypertension or diabetes through the wrong drug intake.

?These individuals may continue to take medication, but the drugs will not work because they have taken counterfeit medicines, as well as unwholesome processed foods.

?These factors further accelerate cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and cancers?.

He also linked strong regulation to the economic growth of the health sector.

?To unlock the healthcare value chain; which is the third pillar of Mr. President?s agenda, we need a strong regulator that will help the industry develop the muscle memory to produce good-quality products.

?If you do not have a regulator, and you produce something of good quality, someone else can produce a substandard version and compete using the same packaging?.

The minister commended NAFDAC for its ?unwavering commitment? to tackling substandard products, especially in food production.

NAFDAC?s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, called the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medicines, along with unsafe processed foods, as ?a challenge that demands immediate and unwavering attention?.

She said the establishment of the taskforce, empowered by the provisions of Cap C 34 of the law regulating NAFDAC, demonstrates ?the collective resolve to crack down on these unscrupulous individuals?.

?This law recognizes that the fight against these illicit products requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, one that is swift, decisive and relentless,? Adeyeye said.

She cited recent enforcement actions as evidence of the agency?s determination.

?Between February and March 2025, NAFDAC conducted coordinated operations at major drug markets, notably in Onitsha and the Ariaria Market.

?These operations resulted in the evacuation and destruction of over 100 trucks of counterfeit and substandard products, valued at over N1 trillion.

?This massive seizure not only removed dangerous products from circulation but also sent a strong message that Nigeria is serious about protecting its citizens?.

According to Adeyeye, the operations also led to the arrest of numerous illegal traders and the seizure of a wide range of fake medicines, unregistered drugs, and unwholesome processed foods.

?The scale of these seizures underscores the gravity of the threat and our unwavering commitment to combat it,? she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Taskforce includes officers from the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NAFDAC, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Others are the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), among others. (NAN)

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