Posted by In Lagos, many cosmetics stores were searched and three of them were closed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for selling and stocking unregistered products illegally.
After receiving a complaint regarding possible counterfeits, the trademark holder proceeded to raid stores selling cosmetics under the “Dr. Teal’s” brand. For the purpose of ensuring their authenticity and safety, NAFDAC confiscated samples for testing in laboratories.
The cosmetics portion of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and other prominent cosmetics businesses in the Egbeada and Ikeja neighborhoods of Lagos were searched on Wednesday by the Agency’s enforcement unit.
The raid was carried out after receiving information from worried Nigerians, as stated by the enforcement team. Two stores along Excellent Line in the trade fair complex were raided. Some stores were sealed and invitation letters were sent to attendants while the owners were absent.
Several store managers at the impacted establishments asserted that they had supporting documentation for their products and offered to make it available.
Team leader and Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Ishildi Sunday, spoke to journalists at the Trade Fair Complex and said that NAFDAC had received a complaint from the trademark owner regarding alleged fakes and the holder of the market authorization.
A regulated product is technically regarded fraudulent if it does not have a NAFDAC registration number, he said. Right now, we can’t guarantee the public’s safety or satisfaction with any product that hasn’t been registered.
“Laboratory analyses are the only way for us to confirm the safety of this product, as it is our duty as an agency to protect the health of Nigerians and guarantee the quality and safety of all regulated goods.”
He assured the public that the impacted stores would reopen once the required consequences for selling, producing, or distributing unregistered goods had been implemented.