Nigerian Regulators Destroy Counterfeit Drugs

Nigerian drug regulator NAFDAC claims to have destroyed counterfeit and copy drugs worth over NGN1bn (US$7.50mn) in recent months. The agency has stated that the illegal drugs were seized from street peddlers, abandoned shipments retrieved at ports and voluntary submissions.

Nevertheless, the impact of NAFDAC's action is likely to be comparatively minimal, given that copy drugs account for some US$220mn per year, or some 85% of the market. The counterfeit industry is estimated to account for US$80mn per year.

Further, NAFDAC has itself been the subject of considerable controversy in recent months, with many claiming that its crackdown will halt sales of therapeutically effective, essential "generic" drugs. Moves to halt the flow of illegal imports are also likely to be ineffective, as imported drugs account for 70% of sales. Further, NAFDAC continues to be beset by frequent allegations of irregularities over drug approvals and claims that unsafe drugs have been distributed by government HIV/AIDS programmes.