At the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists (ANHEJ) on Saturday, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.
The three-day event, themed “Sector-Wide Approach Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media,” provided a platform to discuss pressing issues in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. During her address, Professor Adeyeye emphasised NAFDAC’s recent achievements, including the interception and blocking of 144 batches of substandard pharmaceutical products from entering the country.
These proactive measures, alongside regular post-marketing inspections and responses to consumer complaints, have significantly reduced the prevalence of harmful drugs in Nigerian markets.
How NAFDAC Intends to Do This
NAFDAC is also taking a multifaceted approach to combat the importation and circulation of counterfeit drugs. The agency is working closely with domestic bodies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the police to enforce strict regulations and ensure proper monitoring of pharmaceutical product distribution channels.
NAFDAC has implemented robust strategies, such as post-marketing surveillance, pre-shipment testing, and consumer engagement, to ensure that only high-quality medicines are imported into the country. Local pharmaceutical manufacturers are encouraged to play a vital role in this fight by reducing their reliance on imported drugs. This shift would not only curb the influx of counterfeit products but also strengthen the local drug production industry.
Nigerian citizens have been urged to support NAFDAC’s efforts by promptly reporting any suspected counterfeit or substandard products. This community-based vigilance is seen as a critical step in eradicating counterfeit drugs from the market. On the global front, NAFDAC has forged partnerships with international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), USAID, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
These collaborations have bolstered the agency’s capacity to combat counterfeit drugs by introducing advanced tools and techniques. Notably, NAFDAC has partnered with some Asian countries to enhance the testing of pharmaceutical products destined for Nigeria, ensuring that only safe and effective drugs reach consumers.
One of the innovative tools adopted through NAFDAC’s collaboration with USP and WHO is the Belarus 2 app. This app plays a crucial role in identifying high-risk areas for product sampling, enabling the agency to focus its efforts on regions where substandard products are more likely to be found. Such innovations demonstrate NAFDAC’s commitment to leveraging technology and international expertise to safeguard public health.
Overall, NAFDAC’s multifaceted approach; encompassing local and international collaborations, advanced technological tools, and community participation underscores its dedication to protecting Nigerians from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard drugs. The agency’s ongoing efforts are a testament to its resolve to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that only safe, high-quality pharmaceutical products are available to the public.
Through partnerships, vigilance, and innovation, NAFDAC continues to make significant strides in addressing this critical public health challenge.
About ANHEJ
ANHEJ, short for the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, is a group of public health journalists dedicated to advocating for affordable, quality, and universal healthcare. Each year, the association organizes a conference to discuss various health challenges in Nigeria, while also striving to hold the government and key stakeholders accountable for their roles in improving healthcare.
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