This assurance was conveyed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in Abuja during the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists' (ANHeJ) three-day 8th Annual Conference on Saturday.
The conference's theme is “Sector-Wide Approach Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media.” Adeyeye, represented by Bitrus Fraden, the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance at NAFDAC, stressed that the agency's initiatives to protect public health will be bolstered through improved surveillance, testing, and partnerships with both international and local entities.
She pointed out proactive strategies such as pre-shipment testing, post-marketing surveillance, and consumer engagement as essential components of a holistic approach to ensuring that only safe products are available in Nigerian markets.
“The agency has strengthened collaborations with countries like China and India to guarantee that products intended for Nigeria undergo thorough testing prior to shipment. We will not accept being a dumping ground for substandard products. Pre-shipment testing ensures that only high-quality products arrive in Nigeria,” Adeyeye stated.
She also disclosed that 144 batches of substandard pharmaceutical products had recently been intercepted, preventing their entry into the country. Adeyeye noted that these initiatives, along with regular post-marketing inspections and consumer feedback, have significantly diminished the presence of harmful products in circulation.
NAFDAC has embraced advanced tools such as the Belarus 2 app, created in partnership with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to pinpoint high-risk areas for product sampling. This risk-based strategy enables NAFDAC to effectively allocate resources and concentrate efforts on regions that are more vulnerable to counterfeit medications.
Post-marketing surveillance plays a vital role in this process. We carry out regular inspections, swiftly address consumer complaints, and utilize alert notices to monitor and resolve issues, as noted by Adeyeye.
She highlighted the significance of collaboration in fulfilling NAFDAC’s objectives, mentioning partnerships with global organizations like WHO, USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and USP.
On a local level, NAFDAC collaborates closely with the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and law enforcement to enforce regulations and oversee the distribution of pharmaceutical products.
“We must unite to safeguard lives. Unsafe products pose risks not only to consumers but also to legitimate businesses. Joint efforts are crucial in combating the spread of substandard goods,” she emphasized.
Adeyeye urged Nigerians to report any suspected counterfeit products and called on local pharmaceutical manufacturers to lessen their dependence on imports while ensuring the availability of high-quality medicines.
She also revealed plans to shut down open drug markets notorious for selling unregulated products, with some closures already in progress in specific areas, supported by monitoring systems to ensure compliance.