NAFDAC Seals Abuja Pharmacy, Arrests Two Over Sale Of Expired Drugs

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a pharmacy located on Onitsha Crescent, Area 11 – Garki, Abuja, over the sale of expired and unregistered drugs, including hazardous test kits.

The closure, announced in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen that led to a swift enforcement operation by NAFDAC officials.

During the raid, expired pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦7 million were uncovered.

Among them were “H-Pylori” test kits, which the agency described as posing serious risks to public health.

The pharmacy’s Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist were arrested during the operation, and are currently being questioned as part of NAFDAC’s ongoing investigation.

In its statement, NAFDAC noted that attempts by pharmacy staff to obstruct the operation were unsuccessful, as the enforcement team confiscated the expired items and secured the premises.

The statement read, in part: “NAFDAC has sealed off a pharmacy located at Onitsha Crescent, Area 11 – Garki, Abuja, for selling expired and unregistered drugs.

“Acting on a tip-off from a concerned citizen, NAFDAC’s enforcement team uncovered several expired items worth over seven million naira, including expired ‘H-Pylori’ test kits, which posed significant risks to public health.

“Despite attempts by the pharmacy staff to obstruct the operation, the enforcement team successfully confiscated the expired products and secured the premises. The pharmacy’s Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist were arrested for further questioning, while stringent sanctions will be imposed as a deterrent to unethical practices.”

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant when purchasing regulated products and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.