NAFDAC reaffirms dedication to fight counterfeit prescription drugs

The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its dedication to defending Nigerians from counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical merchandise.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-Common of NAFDAC, made this assertion in Abuja on the three-day eighth Annual Convention of the Affiliation of Nigerian Well being Journalists (ANHeJ) on Saturday.

The theme of the convention is “Sector-Extensive Method Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Well being Outcomes: The Position of the Media.”

Adeyeye represented by Bitrus Fraden, Director of Submit-Advertising Surveillance at NAFDAC, emphasised that the company’s efforts to safeguard public well being can be strengthened by means of enhanced surveillance, testing, and collaborations with each worldwide and native companions.

She highlighted proactive measures akin to pre-shipment testing, post-marketing surveillance, and client engagement as a part of a complete strategy to making sure solely secure merchandise attain Nigerian markets.

“The company has intensified partnerships with nations like China and India to make sure that merchandise destined for Nigeria are rigorously examined earlier than cargo.

“We aren’t a dumping floor for substandard merchandise. Pre-shipment testing ensures solely high quality merchandise are despatched to Nigeria,” Adeyeye mentioned.

She revealed that 144 batches of substandard pharmaceutical merchandise had not too long ago been intercepted and prevented from getting into the nation.

Adeyeye mentioned these efforts, mixed with routine post-marketing inspections and client complaints have considerably decreased the prevalence of dangerous merchandise in circulation.

“NAFDAC has additionally adopted modern instruments just like the Belarus 2 app, developed in collaboration with the USA Pharmacopeia (USP) and the World Well being Organisation (WHO), to establish high-risk areas for product sampling.

“This risk-based strategy permits NAFDAC to allocate assets successfully and give attention to areas most prone to counterfeit medication.

“Submit-marketing surveillance is important. We conduct routine inspections, reply to client complaints promptly, and use alarm notices to trace and handle points,” Adeyeye added.

She additionally careworn the significance of collaboration in reaching NAFDAC’s objectives, noting partnerships with worldwide organisations akin to WHO, USAID, the Invoice & Melinda Gates Foundation, and USP.

“Domestically, NAFDAC labored intently with the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA), and the police to implement laws and monitor pharmaceutical product distribution.

“We have to work as one individuals to guard lives. Unsafe merchandise hurt not solely shoppers but additionally reputable companies. Collaborative efforts are important to stopping the proliferation of substandard items,” she emphasised.

Adeyeye inspired Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit merchandise and urged native pharmaceutical producers to cut back reliance on imports and make sure the availability of high-quality medicines.

She additionally introduced plans to shut down open drug markets identified for distributing unregulated merchandise, with some closures already underway in sure areas, backed by monitoring techniques to make sure compliance.

(NAN)