Customs Hands Over Expired Medicaments to NAFDAC

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area I Command, on Wednesday,  July 29,  handed over a consignment of intercepted expired medicaments to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the Command's Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.

This was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available to our media platform by the Command's Public Relations Officer , Barilule Aanee,  an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I.

The statement hinted that the handover ceremony which underscored the strong inter agency collaboration in safeguarding public health was attended by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies, freight forwarding associations, stakeholders and  members of the media.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, stated that the seizure was a clear demonstration of the Command's commitment to preventing harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from finding their way into Nigerian markets, disclosing that the expired medicaments were intercepted during a joint examination conducted by officers of the Command in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.

She added  that the consignment contained several cartons of expired pharmaceutical products with a Combined Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of over Fifty Nine Million Naira.

The Area 1 Customs boss, Comptroller Atuluku emphasized that the interception prevented what could have resulted in serious public health consequences, as expired medicines posed significant health risks, including treatment failure, drug toxicity and antimicrobial resistance.

She reaffirmed that "the Nigeria Customs Service would remain resolute in protecting the nation's borders against the importation of expired, substandard, falsified and prohibited goods," 

She appreciated  the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his unwavering support, intelligence driven enforcement initiatives and commitment to strengthening collaboration among government agencies.

Receiving the intercepted items on behalf of NAFDAC, the Deputy Director, NAFDAC, Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and sustained partnership in protecting Nigerians from harmful pharmaceutical products. 

He assured that the agency would immediately commence the necessary regulatory procedures to ensure the safe disposal of the expired medicaments in accordance with established laws and guidelines.

 Responding, the Zonal Director, NAFDAC South South Zone, Pharm. Chukwuma Oligbu, described the handover as another testament to the excellent working relationship between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service.

He lauded the leadership of Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku and the officers of Port Harcourt Area I Customs Command for their professionalism, diligence and commitment to public safety, even as he called for continued collaboration among all security and regulatory agencies to combat the importation of unsafe pharmaceutical products into the country.

The handover ceremony concluded with the formal transfer of the intercepted expired medicaments and relevant documents from the Nigeria Customs Service to NAFDAC for further regulatory action as the event further reinforced the shared commitment of both agencies to protecting public health, strengthening border security and ensuring that only safe, genuine and properly regulated pharmaceutical products are permitted into Nigeria.

By: Bon Peters

Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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