Lagos— The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a warehouse containing packaging materials for suspected counterfeit antibiotics and other regulated products at the Tools and Hardware Complex within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
In videos shared on its official X account on Saturday, the agency disclosed that operatives acting on credible intelligence discovered the materials on the top floor of the building. The items included packaging and leaflets bearing the names of Augmentin 625mg and Ampliclox (also referred to as AmpliClose or Amplicloxa) capsules, as well as bottle caps carrying the Gordon’s Gin brand.
NAFDAC stated that the materials did not originate from the original manufacturers. It specifically noted that the Augmentin packaging differed from the designs used by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the pharmaceutical company associated with the genuine product. The agency described the location as a suspected storage point and hideout for counterfeiters.
In a related finding at the same complex, NAFDAC recovered packaging materials and products linked to unlabelled and unregistered cosmetics. These included unidentified soap, empty shampoo tubes, materials inscribed “Turmeric Vitamin C,” and containers for moisturising lotion.
The discoveries form part of NAFDAC’s ongoing enforcement efforts against the production and distribution of falsified medicines and unregistered products in major commercial hubs. The Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway has been the site of previous raids targeting counterfeit pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and alcoholic beverages.
Counterfeit antibiotics pose serious public health risks, including treatment failure, the development of antimicrobial resistance, adverse reactions from unknown ingredients, and delayed proper medical care. Unregistered cosmetics can expose users to harmful chemicals and skin damage.
NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected counterfeit medicines, unregistered products, or related illegal activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through official channels.
Investigations into the operation continue. No further details on arrests or the volume of materials seized were immediately available.
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