NAFDAC uncovers another fake herbal factory in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday, October 22, uncovered another illegal herbal products factory in Agege, Lagos, where three unregistered products were allegedly manufactured under unhygienic conditions, with one bearing a registration number belonging to a registered cough syrup.

Disclosing this to newsmen, the Deputy Director in charge of the Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Pharm. Edith Joseph,, said the agency received intelligence on October 16 concerning the alleged production of Aishetu Adams Bitters with a fake NAFDAC registration number, prompting surveillance and intelligence gathering that led to the discovery of the facility concealed inside a residential building.

“What we found was shocking. The facility was in a very poor and unhygienic condition. Look at the water they use for production and the environment where the manufacturing takes place. The products are manufactured outdoors, in the open air. I can tell you that this facility is not approved by NAFDAC,” she said

The products recovered were identified as Ashietu Adams Herbal Mixture for sexu@lly transmitted diseases, Ashietu Adams Blood Purifier and another herbal preparation purportedly used for high blood pressure.

Joseph said none of the three products was registered with NAFDAC, adding that the registration number displayed on the blood purifier belonged to a registered cough syrup.

“The number belongs to another registered product, which is a cough syrup. They simply copied the number and placed it on their product to deceive Nigerians,” she said.

She said the agency had sealed the facility pending further investigation and taken the recovered products to its office.

Joseph disclosed that Sayidu claimed to have worked with Adams for about a year and assisted in managing the business, particularly when she travelled. The manager reportedly told officials that Adams, whom he identified as a Ghanaian woman, had travelled to Ghana.

The agency said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the operation and the whereabouts of the alleged owner.

She warned Nigerians against relying solely on NAFDAC registration numbers when purchasing herbal medicines and other regulated products, noting that counterfeiters could copy legitimate numbers to give unregistered products the appearance of regulatory approval.

She advised consumers to verify product details through NAFDAC’s online verification platforms and the agency’s Greenbook.

“If the name displayed does not match the product being presented, consumers should know that something is wrong,” she said.

She urged consumers, particularly those in rural communities with limited internet access, to visit the nearest NAFDAC office for assistance in verifying the authenticity of products before purchase or consumption.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Public Relations, NAFDAC, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor, called for increased public participation in the fight against counterfeit and unregistered products.

She warned landlords and property owners against allowing their premises to be used for illegal manufacturing activities, noting that those found to be aiding criminal operations could face prosecution.

She urged property owners to monitor activities on their premises and report suspicious operations to the appropriate authorities.

“We cannot fight this battle alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play in identifying and reporting places where illegal manufacturing activities are taking place,” she said.