NAFDAC Wants Fake Drugs Importers To Stay Off Airport

The National Agency for
Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned importers of fake drugs and unregistered food products to steer clear of the new Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Head of NAFDAC office in Enugu State, Mr John Okwori, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Enugu.
Okwori, who is a deputy director in the agency, said that NAFDAC was ready to fish out any unregistered and fake drugs and food products coming in through the airport.
The NAFDAC chief said that the numbers of unwholesome and unregistered products which had passed through the airport were more than those in the old airports within this year alone.
“The agency’s records show that importers of fake, unwholesome and unregistered drugs and food products are now using the new Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu as a transit route.
“They have left Lagos and Abuja Airports with the notion that the International Airport in Enugu is quite new and not situated in a metropolis like others.
‘They thought they can quietly use Enugu and its satellite towns’ obscurity to move the unwholesome products.
“The agency has re-enforced the airport in Enugu with additional dedicated personnel to always track them down.
“So far, we have succeeded in impounding these products as well as investigating and tracking down their owners for prosecution,’’ he said.
Okwori said that NAFDAC intended to hold a meeting with the importers and clearing agents in the South-East before the end of November.
“The meeting will centre on the issue of bad names which some importers and clearing agents want to give the relatively young airport.
“This, they intend to do by importing fake, counterfeit and unregistered drugs and food products.
“We want to drum into their ears that heavy penalty awaits those caught and prosecuted and found culpable of importing unwholesome products.
“The penalty can involve a heavy monetary fine, imprisonment for between five and 15 years or both fine and imprisonment together,’’ NAFDAC chief said.