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Tag: NAFDAC

  • Why NAFDAC is expanding directorates – DG

    Why NAFDAC is expanding directorates – DG

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says the agency will expand its directorates to promote greater and more impactful management.

    Adeyeye made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja while reeling out the agency’s strategic goals for the years 2023-2028.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 30, 2022, reappointed Adeyeye as the director general of the agency for a second term

    Adeyeye said continuation of meaningful deployment of human capital, sustained strong governance and obtaining approval for Hazard and Regulatory Allowances were among her goals.

    The director general also said she would secure approval for Scheme and Condition of Service as well as ensure well trained staff for SAP account software.

    Adeyeye added that she would increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the agency.

    The director general further said that she would use additional media outlets to disseminate information on NAFDAC activities.

    “There will be use of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, drama and comedy artistes to convey importance of quality, safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products as well as make media parley more structured,” she said.

    Adeyeye promised to sustain the transformation agenda she started in 2017 during her second term.

    She said one of the achievements in her first term was maintaining a well disciplined and motivated workforce, adding that she also eliminated substandard and falsified medicines.

    The director general said fighting the menace of unsafe and illicit drugs were part of her priorities, adding that she aligned NAFDAC with international standards on food, drug and water.

    Adeyeye said she met the agency with glaring symptoms of sundry administrative and procedural lapses such as a huge debt of N3.2 billion and dismally low Internally Generated Revenue of N700 million.

    She also said the skewed nominal roll revealed a disregard for the requirements for federal character with a non post-marketing good distribution practice and  surveillance.

    Adeyeye commended the president over her reappointment and National Assembly members as well as international agencies for their support.

  • Buhari reappoints Adeyeye as NAFDAC DG

    Buhari reappoints Adeyeye as NAFDAC DG

    President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye.

    A statement issued by NAFDAC Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, on Friday in Abuja stated that Adeyeye re-appointment was for the second tenure of five years.

    Jimoh said that the re-appointment by the president was conveyed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

    He said: “Adeyeye’s tenure renewal took effect from 1st December 2022.

    “The DG’s reappointment came closely on the heels of her track record of monumental achievements and successes in the last five years, especially in the attainment of World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3.”

    Abubakar said that Adeyeye who assumed duty on Friday was received by some staffers at the corporate headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on existence of fake COVID-19 test kits

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on existence of fake COVID-19 test kits

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians about counterfeit Covid-19 Antigen rapid test kits in circulation.

    The notification is contained in a NAFDAC public alert released to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    The counterfeit BTNX Incorporated COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits was communicated to NAFDAC by Health Canada.

    NAFDAC quoted Health Canada as saying that the fake test kits were sold online in 25-pack boxes by a distributor called Healthful Plus who had not the required licence.

    NAFDAC said the packaging of the counterfeit kits resembles the authentic BTNX Inc. products in colour and typeface and uses the BTNX Incorporated.

    It said that the device identifier has “COV-19C25”, but also has several key differences, adding that it was labelled as manufactured by “Health Advance Inc.” instead of BTNX Inc.

    NAFDAC stated that on the packaging Health Advance was identified as the  “Official Canadian Distributor of the counterfeit products.

    It pointed out that the products had a claim of endorsement by government authorities, such as Health Canada.

    “Genuine COVID-19 Antigen test kit helps detect certain proteins in the virus. Rapid antigen tests are designed to tell in a few minutes whether someone is infected or not.

    “It is recommended as a high performing test for individuals with symptoms, high-risk populations and healthcare or casual workers.

    “Counterfeit health products are imitations of authentic products. The safety and effectiveness of these counterfeit test kits have not been assessed.

    “The genuine manufacturer BTNX Inc. has confirmed that the devices were counterfeit,” NAFDAC said.

    The agency advised wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies and consumers to ensure that their products are obtained from authentic and reliable sources.

    It also encouraged healthcare providers to Increase vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importation, distribution, sale or use of the counterfeit COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits.

    It advised healthcare providers to prevent the administration of the product to unsuspecting patients, adding that the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    NAFDAC said that anybody in possession of the counterfeit product should immediately discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest agency office.

    Healthcare providers and consumers are encouraged to report suspected counterfeit health products to NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

    NAFDAC also advised the public to report adverse effects via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, and e-reporting platforms www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download.

  • NAFDAC raids Zaria market, seizes unregistered, expired drugs worth N20m

    NAFDAC raids Zaria market, seizes unregistered, expired drugs worth N20m

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday seized unregistered/expired aphrodisiacs, and other drugs worth N20m in Kaduna State.

    The agency made the seizures during a raid in 26 shops at the Sabon Gari market in Zaria LGA of the state.

    The seizures were microgynon, drugs meant to be distributed free to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and oxytocin (injection for women who delivered), which required specific temperature to be stored, but were found in the open.

    Addressing newsmen after the raid, the Deputy Director in charge of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, Kaduna Office, Mr. Tamanuwa Andrew, said the countinuous excercise was aimed at ridding markets of substandard and falsified medicines.

    He noted that falsified, expired, and substandard medicines posed great challenges to the entire world, including Nigeria being a developing country.

    “The seized aphrodisiacs, were found to contain up to 200 strength milligrams which was more than 100mg that the agency registered,” he said.

    He mentioned some of the challenges to include increased hospital admission, development of resistance and treatment failure which ultimately resulted to death.

    He also noted that the unpatriotic business men/women, targeted medicines with high volume of use such as anti malaria, antibiotics, antihypertensive, among others, for treatment of diseases.

    The deputy director explained that one of the strategies NAFDAC employed to reduce or minimise the menace of substandard and falsified products was by countinuous mop up of the products from circulation.

    He appealed to the public, especially health practitioners, to assist the agency in the fight against substandard drugs, while strongly kicking against self medication .

    He said investigations of those found wanting would begin and upon conclusion, they would face the necessary regulatory sanctions or prosecution as the law enshrined.

    He restated their committment to ensure safe markets where consumers would buy the right and quality assured medicines and other consumables.

  • NAFDAC: New acting D-G to convene meeting with directors

    NAFDAC: New acting D-G to convene meeting with directors

    The acting Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Monica Eimunjeze, will on Tuesday convene a meeting with the directors of the agency.

    The Director of Public Affairs of the agency, m, told newsmen in an interview on Saturday that the meeting is for the D-G to disclose her areas of focus.

    He said that the NAFDAC D-G would also seek the support of the directors to excel in her new task of piloting the agency’s affairs.

    Abubakar said “the new D-G wants to hit the ground running, this is why she has decided to convene a meeting with directors of the agency on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

    “She wants to touch on what will be the focus of her administration, using the SWOT analysis and move in quick succession.

    “What I mean by SWOT analysis is for her to look at the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the agency.

    “The meeting will also be looking at gap analysis, this is the process companies use to compare their current performance with their desired, expected performance and look whether we are meeting our expectations.

    “All these will be geared toward improving the system.”

    The appointment of Eimunjeze followed the expiry of the tenure of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on Nov. 2.

  • Contaminated cough syrups: We have measures to prevent entry into Nigeria – NAFDAC

    Contaminated cough syrups: We have measures to prevent entry into Nigeria – NAFDAC

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that measures have been put at various ports of entry into the country to prevent contaminated cough syrups.

    NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference.
    Newsmen reports that the agency had on Sunday, issued an alert with No. 040/2022 about some contaminated cough syrups circulating in the Gambia.

    Newsmen also reports that the syrups were identified as Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

    The syrups were said to have been manufactured by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, and had failed to provide guarantees about the safety of the cough syrups.

    Meanwhile, the NAFDAC boss said that the agency had put appropriate measures at the various ports of entry to curtail the entry of these syrups into Nigeria.

    She said that NAFDAC had activated its internal surveillance mechanisms to mop up these products from the supply chain pipeline if they were ever found.

    Adeyeye said that as a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) programme on International drug monitoring, NAFDAC would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that these products did not cause harm to Nigerians.

    She said that the cough syrups had killed 66 children in Gambia, and that interviews conducted on the bereaved parents in the Gambia by health authorities and law enforcement agencies revealed how their children were not able to pass urine after taking the syrups.

    “Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are restricted chemicals which are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.

    “These chemicals are closely related in chemical structure to propylene glycol which is the right vehicle for use in the manufacture of paediatric syrups.

    “Poor quality control might have led to non- detection of these dangerous products and hence the fatality we have on our hands in Gambia,” she dressed.

    The NAFDAC boss however said that the four cough syrups in questions were not registered by the agency and called on Nigerians to be cautious.

    She also implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importation, distribution, sales and use of the substandard cough syrups.

    According to her, all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, adding that the product authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

  • NAFDAC bans herbal aphrodisiacs laced with injurious substance

    NAFDAC bans herbal aphrodisiacs laced with injurious substance

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has banned the production and usage of a herbal mixture known as ‘Kurkura’; herbal aphrodisiacs, and alcoholic bitters in the country.

    Kurkuma used by many in boosting the immune system in readiness for sex  is said to be very common in the Southwestern parts of the country.

    NAFDAC’s  Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

    According to Adeyeye, the herbal aphrodisiacs, contains dangerous substances like tobacco and cannabis which is risky to one’s health.

    She said that the ‘Kurkura’ herbal mixture discovered in circulations included “Five Minutes Power Herbs Medicine, Haonu Laha Herbal Mixture, Gamzaki Tradomedical Herbal Ventures, Barakallahu Multipurpose Herbal Mixture, and Sabon Karfi Herbal Mixture.”

    She said, while Haonu Laha Herbal Mixture was registered with the agency, it was laced with unapproved substances that were injurious to the body. 

    “Kurkura is an illicit product illegally consumed for the sole aim of getting intoxicated. The substance when abused can be harmful to the body organs such as the brain, kidney, and liver. The damage to the kidney and liver cannot be overemphasised. This substance can cause irrational thinking, and an altered state of mind, which if taken by a driver can lead to a road traffic accident with the attendant fatality consequences or can lead to criminal behaviours such as rape, kidnapping, and murder. 

    “Another herbal preparation that is of concern is aphrodisiac and we have discovered the lacing of it with cannabis. 

    “In our recent operation, we impounded the following dangerous herbal aphrodisiac at some Islamic Herbal Medicines shops in Zaria, Kaduna State – Gagare Man Power, Minister For Man Power, Almenjou For Lazy Men in Bed, Nisan Zango Karfin Maza, Shagalin Ka Man Power, Dakan Jia Man Power enhancement, Wuff Male Sexual Performance, Afafata For Sexual Drive, etc. 

    “So far, one of the illegal factories involved in the production of such unauthorised products has been shut down and the owner arrested. Worthy of note is the discovery of the usage of Hyergra 200 (Sildenafil Citrate tablet), Amafranil tablets (Clomipramine tablet 25mg), and Cannon Extra (Paracetamol 500mg+Caffeine 30mg) in the production room. The owner admitted that he dissolves the Hyergra 200, Cannon Extra, and the Amafranil in a drum and mixes the content with boiled Kanafari, Garlic, Dundu, Marke, Hankufa, Sweetener, and Sodium Benzoate to make up the Man Power preparation. Yet the label on the preparation read 100 per cent herbal. 

    “The effect of such preparation on a person with heart challenges can only be imagined. The makers of these products were arrested and later granted bail. The investigation is ongoing. 

    “An alcoholic bitters product that is of grave concern is Japata Alcoholic bitters which was duly registered by NAFDAC but laced with marijuana or cannabis compared to the registered product that had only ethanol. Through intelligence, NAFDAC was able to shut down the company. This product when tested in the laboratory caused the death of the mice within five minutes. The alcoholic content was doubled compared with the registered product. The retained samples, kept at the point of registration, did not cause any injury to the animals. 

    “The product laced with cannabis was said to cause an altered state of mind and psychological problems to the user. The owner of the company is on the run and the matter has been shared with the NDLEA.”

    The don pledged that the agency will continue with the raid on other illegal production outlets and the perpetrators will be dealt with in line with the extant laws and regulations. 

    “This drives home the fact that the eradication of fake and counterfeit drugs, adulterated and unwholesome processed foods, and other regulated products is a holistic battle that should involve every well-meaning Nigerian. I want to assure Nigerians that NAFDAC is doing everything to ensure that only safe medicine and wholesome food of the right quality are sold to our citizenry,” she said.

  • Court jails man for repackaging paracetamol as chloroquine

    Court jails man for repackaging paracetamol as chloroquine

    A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Innocent Oparah, to three years jail term for endangering the lives of innocent consumers through the circulation of fake drugs.

    This is contained in a press statement made available to TheNewsGuru and signed by the Resident Media Consultant of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Sayo Akintola on Sunday.

    The statement said Oparah was on Friday sentenced to three years with an option of a N200,000 fine.

    Oparah, the document noted, was charged to court for labelling paracetamol as Quinine Sulphate & Nivaquine (Chloroquine) tablets at D222 Sabon Gari Market, Kano.

    The court was presided over by Justice Ibrahim Mark in the case with charge No FHC/KN /51/2019.

    It noted that Count One stated, “that you, Innocent Okparah on or about October 20, 2018, at the above address within the jurisdiction of this honorable court was found in possession of fake drugs, thereby, committed an offence contrary to section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (miscellaneous provisions) Act, Cap C34, LEN 2004 and punishable under section 3 (1) (a) of the same Act.”

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    “The convict was arrested on October 20, 2018 with some drug products and Paracetamol label that was changed to Quinine and Nivaquine.

    NAFDAC, in collaboration with the members of National Association of Patent & Proprietary Medicine Dealers, officers, had, upon intelligence information, swooped on the Sabon Gari market in Kano where the convict was arrested.

    “Four boys were met at his shop changing labels of paracetamol with that of quinine and the boys confessed that it was Innocent a.k.a. INNO that owned the products.

    “The boys called Innocent Oparah on phone, and he later came and met them at the shop where he accepted ownership of the products.

    “The analyst found the two drugs unsatisfactory for human use as the content of the Quinine Sulphate was lower than expected and the manufacturer’s address was not indicated on the product label.

    “The analysis report of Nivaquine Chloroquine 100Mmg tablet was not satisfactory as the friability test was out of specification and tablet breaking, also percentage content of chloroquine was lower than expected and the manufacturer’s address was incomplete. The Quinine and Nivaquine are not registered by NAFDAC.

    “The presiding judge noted that innocent’s action was inimical to the general wellbeing of the people of Nigeria,” the document stated.

    On her part, the Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye commended the judiciary for the judgment, stressing it would serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded fake drug peddlers.

    She reiterated her call for a review of the law to discourage Nigerians from going into the illicit business that is capable of compromising the health of the people.

    The DG noted with dismay that the provision of the law for drug offenders in the country prescribed weak penalties underscoring the need for a review of such law for that which prescribes stiffer penalties for drug counterfeiters in the country to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Adeyeye, however, appealed to the 9th National Assembly to pass the bill before the end of their tenure since it’s a security-related issue.

    “Fake and illicit drugs kill people and the judgment the offenders usually get is so insignificant when compared to the level of the offence committed. Getting judgment of months or two or three years imprisonment is not enough. We must do everything possible to get a law in place that will recommend a stiffer penalty for drug counterfeiters,” Adeyeye said.

    She, however, commended members of NAPPMED for giving the agency intelligence that culminated in the arrest and prosecution of the convict as she urged other members of the public to emulate the group by providing NAFDAC with vital information that may lead to the arrest of the merchants of death in the country.

    According to her, food and drugs were too important in human life to compromise standards.

    She pledged that NAFDAC would continue to ensure that those dealing in fake and illicit drugs in the country would not go unpunished.

    She said the agency was more determined and committed than ever to putting necessary measures in place to save the lives of the citizens.

  • NAFDAC warns against use of YW cosmetics glycolic acid

    NAFDAC warns against use of YW cosmetics glycolic acid

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against the use of a cosmetic product, YW Cosmetics Glycolic Acid, containing 70 per cent content.

    The warning is contained in a public alert with No. 032/2022, signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Moji Adeyeye and released on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye stated that the agency was equally informed of the product by the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

    According to her, 70 per cent of glycolic acid is a strong acidic alpha hydroxyl-acid (AHA) and is the most popular used in skin care.

    She said that the product was manufactured from sugar cane, and “is the smallest AHA, and the most effective at getting into the skin”.

    “It is a substance that chemically exfoliates the skin by dissolving dead skin cells and oils.

    “Products containing AHAs are marketed for a variety of purposes, such as smoothing fine lines and surface wrinkles, improving skin texture and tone, unblocking and cleansing pores, and improving skin condition in general.

    “Alpha hydroxy acids can also cause mild skin irritation, redness, swelling, itching, and skin discolouration.

    “Facial peels left on the skin for periods longer than recommended can cause severe burns to the skin.

    “The product comes in a 50ml bottle and is traded online without a batch and lot identification number,” Adeyeye said.

    According to her, NAFDAC implores consumers to exercise caution in the use of YW Cosmetics Glycolic Acid.

    “Healthcare professionals, consumers and patients are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR on (20543 TOLLS FREE from all networks).

    “The public is also encouraged to report adverse effects via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

  • NAFDAC shuts 10 water factories in Ondo

    NAFDAC shuts 10 water factories in Ondo

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed 10 packaged water companies in Ondo State over non-compliance with the regulation and standards.

    The Ondo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Benu Philip, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Akure.

    Philip said the affected companies which spread across the state, had there premises sealed between January and June.

    He explained that all the affected companies were operating with expired licence and producing in an unhygienic environment.

    “In addition to locking the facilities, the companies will pay an administrative charge for late renewal of their registration licence and submit necessary documents for the renewal process,” he said

    Philip said the licence issued is not forever, adding that renewal periods should be sustained to avoid regulatory interruption.

    He advised Nigerians to always look out for the NAFDAC registration number on sachet and bottled water, batch information and date markings.

    “Our mandate, specifically, is to ensure, regulate and control the manufacturing of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and chemicals, which we refer to as regulated products.

    “What we do in Ondo State majorly is to engage the stakeholders to keep them abreast of our mandate, to ensure that they follow the rules.

    “Most of the packaged water, popularly called “pure water”, that I know of in Ondo State since I came on board, have been operating with expired licence.

    “The licence is the marketing authorisation that enables you to sell your product in the market as verified and safe for consumption.

    “Once you have that number on your certificate, it shows that you have gone through the regulatory processes to ensure that you make safe products to the consuming public but it is not forever; it has a timeline,” he said.

    He said the agency will continue to collaborate with other agencies to ensure its set goals and targets were achieved.