Hidden Trade in Fake Malaria Drugs Threatens Yorubaland’s Health, NAFDAC Cracks Down

By Ademola Adekusibe

September 12, 2025

In a shocking raid, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, intercepted 277 cartons of counterfeit malaria drugs worth over ₦1.2 billion in a warehouse in Ilasa-Oshodi, Lagos. The seized drugs, Malamal Forte, were falsely labelled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg and illegally imported from Shanxi Tianyuan Pharmaceuticals Group in China under the guise of spare parts.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, stated that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to protect Nigerians from dangerous and substandard medicines. “With full support from the Presidency and Federal Ministry of Health, we are determined to eliminate counterfeit drugs from circulation. Public health is non-negotiable,” she emphasized.

Across Yorùbáland, the news has sparked outrage. Analysts warn that fake drugs are not merely an economic crime but a direct assault on the health and survival of Yorùbá communities. Traders and daily earners, who depend on safe medicines for themselves and their families, fear that such networks, if unchecked, could cripple markets and threaten lives.

Residents of Lagos and other parts of the South West expressed alarm that unscrupulous networks continue to exploit gaps in regulation, putting millions at risk. “This is more than just a business crime; it is poisoning our land and endangering our people,” one local trader said.

NAFDAC confirmed that more crackdowns are underway and urged Yoruba leaders and communities to remain vigilant. “While we will continue our operations, citizens themselves must be alert and report suspicious activities,” Prof. Adeyeye added.

The seizure underscores the growing threat of counterfeit medicine syndicates and the urgent need for communities to protect themselves against shadowy trade networks that prioritize profit over human life.