By Dickson Omobola

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria-Young Pharmacists Group, PSN-YPG, has said the  National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, decision to shut down illegal drug centres across Nigeria is a victory for public health and a step towards eliminating dangerous pharmaceuticals from circulation.

The group, which lamented the rise in substandard drugs, also expressed satisfaction with NAFDAC’s decision to also destroy N4.7 billion worth of counterfeit and expired drugs, substandard foods among others.

National Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Young Pharmacists Group, Tekena George, in a statement, said the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, through recent developments, had restored public confidence in the agency.

George stated that her crackdown on three major illegal drug markets in Idumota in Lagos State, Onitsha in Anambra State and Ariaria in Aba, Abia State) was a landmark achievement that would never be forgotten.

The statement reads: “For too long, counterfeit and substandard drugs have silently taken lives, with families mourning loved ones lost to fake anti-malarials, expired antibiotics, and ineffective blood pressure medications. These dangerous products have flooded markets unchecked, putting millions at risk.

“That is why NAFDAC’s recent crackdown on three major illegal drug markets—Idumota (Lagos State), Onitsha (Anambra State), and Ariaria (Aba, Abia State) is a landmark achievement that will be remembered for generations. These markets have long been hotbeds for the distribution of counterfeit, expired, and improperly stored medications, leading to tragic health outcomes.

“By shutting down these illicit drug hubs and disrupting their supply chains, Prof. Adeyeye is ensuring that only properly regulated, high-quality medicines reach Nigerians. This is a victory for public health and a step toward eliminating dangerous Pharmaceuticals from circulation.

“Furthermore, we commend NAFDAC for its recent destruction of N4.7 billion worth of counterfeit and expired drugs, substandard foods, and other unwholesome products in the South-South region. This bold action sends a clear message that public health is not

for sale.

“Beyond enforcement, the PSN-YPG applauds Prof. Adeyeye’s transformational policies that promote the local production of high-quality medicines in Nigeria. By encouraging domestic manufacturing, she is not only reducing our reliance on imported drugs but also strengthening the nation’s medicine security and economic resilience.

“As Young Pharmacists, we are proud to belong to a profession that upholds excellence, integrity and service to humanity at the highest levels and as custodians of the future of Pharmacy in Nigeria, we stand in unwavering solidarity with Prof. Moji Adeyeye and NAFDAC’s mission to rid our nation of counterfeit medicines and substandard Pharmaceutical products.

“The fight against fake drugs is not NAFDAC’s responsibility alone, it is a collective battle. We, therefore, urge all healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public to actively support NAFDAC’s efforts and advocate for stronger legislation against open drug markets.”