By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has disclosed its commitment to building up synergy with Global partners to ensure that Nigerians are protected from counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products through enhanced surveillance, testing, and collaborations with international and local partners.
Director , Post Marketing of a surveillance, Bitrus Fraden who represented NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this in Abuja on Friday at the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHEJ.
Fraden highlighted the proactive measures taken by the agency, which includes pre-shipment testing, post-marketing surveillance, and consumer engagement, as part of its comprehensive approach to safeguarding the health of Nigerians.
Fredan speaking on behalf of NAFDAC said that the agency has intensified partnerships with countries such as China and India to ensure that products destined for Nigeria are rigorously tested before shipment, Fraden disclosed.
“We are not a dumping ground for substandard products,” a NAFDAC spokesperson stated.”
“Pre-shipment testing ensures that only quality products are sent to Nigeria. We have appointed independent analysts in these countries to verify product safety before they leave, reducing the risk of waste and counterfeit items entering our markets.”
The agency revealed that 144 batches of substandard pharmaceutical products were recently intercepted and stopped from entering Nigeria.
” These efforts, combined with routine post-marketing inspections and consumer complaints, have helped to reduce the prevalence of harmful products in circulation.”
In furtherance of the fight against counterfeit drugs, NAFDAC has also adopted innovative tools, such as the Belarus 2 app, a collaboration between the United States Pharmacopeia, USP, and the World Health Organization (WHO), to identify high-risk areas for product sampling.
This risk-based approach allows the agency to allocate resources effectively and focus on regions with the highest risk of counterfeit drug distribution.
The agency emphasized the need for aggressive post-marketing inspections, as counterfeiters often resist regulatory oversight. “Post-marketing surveillance is critical.
“We conduct routine inspections, respond to consumer complaints promptly, and use alarm notices to track and address issues,” he added.
NAFDAC underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving its objectives, including partnerships with international organizations such as WHO, USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and USP.
For increased local surveillance, the agency works closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the police to enforce regulations and monitor the distribution of pharmaceutical products.
“We need to work as one person to protect lives,” the agency emphasized.
“Unsafe products harm not only consumers but also legitimate businesses. Collaborative efforts are essential to stopping the proliferation of substandard goods.”
The agency has also prioritized public education, urging Nigerians to report suspected counterfeit products.
Additionally, NAFDAC continues to encourage local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports and ensure the availability of high-quality medicines.
To further strengthen regulation, the agency announced its plans to close down open drug markets notorious for distributing unregulated products.
The closure of such markets has already begun in some regions, with monitoring systems in place to ensure compliance, NAFDAC disclosed.
President, of ANHEJ, Mr Joseph Kadiri noted that with these ongoing efforts, NAFDAC remains steadfast in its mission to eliminate counterfeit drugs and safeguard public health.
Kadiri said that by leveraging technology, fostering collaboration, and engaging with the public, the agency aims to build a safer and healthier Nigeria.
