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Tag: NAFDAC

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday alerted the public of the presence of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets circulating under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 in Nigeria.

    The agency said on its twitter handle that the counterfeit product was discovered and reported to the Agency by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited from Mumbai, India,

    According to NAFDAC, Ajanta Pharma observed that it manufactured the counterfeited product with batch number PA2128L in December 2018, with an expiry date of November 2020.

    It said the batch was created for Combisunate 20/120 (Artemether 20mg/Lumefantrine 120mg Tablets), with a pack size of 30 x 24 tablets, but had now been counterfeited and was being sold as Aflotin 20/120mg with a pack size of 1 x 18 tablets.

    It added that the overprinted matter did not match Ajanta’s overprinting style.

    The agency said the company had confirmed that the Aflotin 20/120mg with Batch No: PA2128L available in the Nigerian market was a counterfeit, as determined by the investigation carried out and observations made on the product.

    “The genuine Aflotin 20/120 tablet is a combination of Artemether/Lumefantrine (20mg/120mg) and is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite,” it said.

    The regulatory agency emphasised that counterfeit medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which meant the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

    “The use of counterfeit medicines often fail to treat diseases or conditions effectively, leading to serious health consequences, including death,” NAFDAC said.

    It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been informed and directed to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit products found within their zones and states.

    NAFDAC also advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

    It advised that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers.

  • NAFDAC appoints Indians for drug inspection

    NAFDAC appoints Indians for drug inspection

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken a significant step in its ongoing battle against counterfeit medicines by appointing Cotecna Inspection Services as a Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) agent in India. This decision forms part of NAFDAC’s strengthened efforts to prevent the importation of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines and other regulated products, particularly from India and China.

    The appointment follows NAFDAC’s continuous efforts to crack down on fake medicines, which recently included the seizure and destruction of over N1 trillion worth of substandard and expired drugs in markets like Idumota, Onitsha, and Aba.

    Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, explained that this new partnership aims to enhance the agency’s pre-shipment verification processes and improve regulatory oversight in key exporting countries. In a statement released by NAFDAC’s spokesman, Sayo Akintola, Adeyeye emphasized that the global problem of counterfeit medicines particularly affects low- and middle-income nations, including Nigeria.

    During a hybrid technical meeting in Lagos, Adeyeye highlighted the importance of the CRIA scheme, which has already been operational in China and India. This scheme acts as a primary strategy for screening products before export, ensuring that only safe and compliant products reach Nigerian shores. Following a review of the performance of existing CRIA agents, NAFDAC decided to disengage one agent, renew contracts with two others, and add two new agents in India, including Cotecna.

    Cotecna now joins a network of CRIA agents responsible for inspecting product quality, packaging, labeling, conducting random testing, and verifying regulatory documents. These agents are also tasked with reporting any non-compliance or attempts to circumvent the inspection process. Only products that pass these stringent tests are cleared for shipment to Nigeria.

    In addition, NAFDAC introduced the Ports Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), a new electronic platform designed to streamline the verification of CRIA and NAFDAC documentation, improve inspection processes, and ensure greater transparency and efficiency at Nigerian ports.

    Adeyeye also issued a stern warning against any efforts to reintroduce rejected consignments into Nigeria. NAFDAC is collaborating with the Indian government to track rejected medicines and prevent their illegal re-entry through alternative routes. “We want to know what happens to the medicines rejected in India,” Adeyeye stated. “NAFDAC will not allow such products to find their way back into our country.”

    She further urged exporters of NAFDAC-regulated products to engage only approved CRIA agents before shipping to ensure compliance with the agency’s regulations and safeguard public health. All regulated products, except those on the exemption list, must undergo CRIA processing.

    Lena Sodergren, Vice President of Verification of Conformity and Africa at Cotecna, reassured the public of the company’s commitment to ensuring quality assurance and facilitating international trade.

     

  • NAFDAC clarifies reopening of Onitsha medicine market

    NAFDAC clarifies reopening of Onitsha medicine market

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)  has announced that the medicine market at Bridgehead, Onitsha, was reopened on March 7, following a shutdown for comprehensive sanitisation.

    Dr Martins Iluyomade, the NAFDAC Director for the Southeast, confirmed this in an interview on Monday.

    The agency had closed the Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets from February 10 to March 7 to sanitise the medicine distribution system.

    Iluyomade, speaking with NAN, explained that there were administrative conditions every shop owner had to fulfil before their shops, previously sealed during the operation, could be unsealed.

    He said that the process was put in place to prevent the recurrence of the issues that led to the market’s closure.

    He highlighted that pharmaceuticals were highly regulated due to their impact on public health and national security, adding that NAFDAC’s mandate, under the NAFDAC Act, was to regulate and control the sales and distribution of drugs.

    Iluyomade also clarified that the market had not been closed, contrary to reports from some media outlets.

    He said that the process underway was focused on documenting and regularising the shops, ensuring that no shop would be unsealed without completing the necessary clearance procedures.

    He said NAFDAC had set up a special desk to facilitate this process efficiently.

    Iluyomade thanked the market leadership and the Anambra state government for their cooperation and understanding.

    He further stated that the agency was not aware of any internal conflicts within the market.

  • Drug traders kick as NAFDAC shut market down in Anambra

    Drug traders kick as NAFDAC shut market down in Anambra

    Angry traders have staged a protest following the closure of Ogbo-Ogwu Bridgehead Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    The traders, which were more than 2,000 demonstrators, who held banners which reads: Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market, expressed their distress over the situation, which they claim has caused significant hardship and financial strain.

    According to the aggrieved traders, five traders of their colleagues have died and many others have been hospitalized due to stress and hunger.

    The protesters also accused the government agency of demanding a payment of N2 million from each trader before allowing the market to reopen.

    Ifeanyi Chinedu, the National Convener and Secretary of the Concerned Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market, told newsmen that their shops remain locked, despite NAFDAC’s assertions that they have been reopened.

    Chinedu called on the Federal Government to intervene with NAFDAC to facilitate the reopening of the market and to investigate allegations regarding the seizure of counterfeit drugs.

    He listed some of their demands, saying, “We, the members of the Ogbo-Ogwu drug market, after our long-awaited first general meeting with the caretaker committee chairman and his executives since the invasion of the market by NAFDAC officials, made the following declarations.

    “That NAFDAC invaded our various shops in our absence and carted away properly registered goods worth billions of Naira.

    “They also carted away drugs from multinational companies from the USA, Germany, Turkey, and Pakistan, all of international standards and impeccable qualities.

    “The claims by NAFDAC that all the drugs they carted away are fake and substandard are inhumane and malicious lies meant to tarnish the image of thousands of responsible and genuine businessmen and women at the Ogbo-Ogwu drug market.

    “We challenge the Federal Government to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to investigate the goods carted away in over 60 trailer loads with the aim of ascertaining the veracity of the claims of the NAFDAC Director-General and some of her corrupt officials.

    “That the claims by NAFDAC officials that our various shops were being searched in our presence are another set of malicious and fabricated lies meant to carpet their heinous crime of barbaric breaking, entering, searching and looting of someone’s shop in his absence, including boutiques in the market in this 21st century and democratic world.”

    The traders also passed a vote of no confidence on the market caretaker committee chairman and his executive and called for their immediate resignation.

    They also claimed that NAFDAC has imposed a fine of ₦2 million before any shop would be reopened, saying it is for documentation purposes.

    “NAFDAC has mandated that each shop owner pays ₦2 million to them before opening the market; this is ridiculous. We reject in its entirety the criminal fines imposed on us by NAFDAC and call on the Federal Minister of Health and National Security Adviser, the National Assembly, to come to our rescue.

    “We demand the immediate and unconditional reopening of the market to genuine businessmen and women of the Ogbo-Ogwu drug market to ascertain the level of looting bequeathed on genuine businessmen and women in the market. Over five persons have died, and several others have been hospitalised due to depression.

    “We call for the immediate prosecution of those caught with suspected fake and substandard drugs, in conjunction with the present caretaker committee, who collaborated with them to bring those deadly drugs into the market.

    “We remain law-abiding to the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu. We also pledge our loyalty to the state government led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo,” he added.

  • NAFDAC destroys fake drugs worth ₦1trn

    NAFDAC destroys fake drugs worth ₦1trn

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, substandard, and falsified drugs seized during a recent operation in Onitsha and Aba.

    The unwholesome pharmaceutical products were destroyed at the Anambra State Waste Management Agency’s dump site in Awka on Friday, following standard disposal procedures.

    Prof. Christina Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, who supervised the destruction, stated that 100 containers of such products valued at ₦1 trillion were seized.

    Represented by Dr Martin Iluyomade, Director of Southeast Zonal Operations, she said the quantity of banned psychoactive drugs found could destabilise an entire country.

    Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC had realised the time had come to permanently end the circulation of falsified and substandard pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

    According to her, fake medicines lead to treatment failures, causing preventable deaths and severe economic losses, especially for vulnerable patients who rely on these drugs.

    “Medicines are not a matter of choice but necessity. We cannot quantify how many lives have been lost due to fake or substandard products.

    “We found medicines meant for pregnant women, which require cold storage, kept in oven-hot conditions—no wonder Nigeria faces high childbirth mortality rates.

    “It is disheartening that banned drugs with harmful effects, including unapproved medicines like tramadol and psychoactive substances, are still in circulation,” Adeyeye stated.

    The Director-General said although the one-month operation, which saw markets closed, had ended, enforcement would continue until fake drugs are eliminated.

    She affirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring medicines are safe, effective, certified, and suitable for use by the general public.

    “We thank the Federal Government, state government, security agencies, and the media for their support and cooperation during this successful operation,” she said.

    Mr Mike Ozoemena, representing the Anambra government, commended NAFDAC for its efforts in eliminating fake pharmaceutical products from the state and the country.

    Ozoemena, Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Agency, said Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration would support all efforts to protect public health.

    He praised NAFDAC for acting swiftly and not prolonging the closure of the drug markets unnecessarily, which helped minimise disruption for traders.

    The destruction exercise was witnessed by officials of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and other security agencies to ensure transparency and accountability.

  • NAFDAC shuts down 3 food warehouses

    NAFDAC shuts down 3 food warehouses

    National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down three major assorted raw food warehouses in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

    This is contained in a statement by the NAFDAC State Coordinator, Mrs Stella Dosumu on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

    Dosumu said the warehouses were closed over varied degrees of infractions, allegedly targeted at short-changing unsuspecting members of the public.

    According to her, the closure is in continuation of the NAFDAC Director General’s efforts to rid the society of fake, counterfeit and substandard medicinal and wholesome items in Ekiti.

    “The closure took place on Wednesday, March 11, infractions of the agency’s laws.

    “The action followed a tip off by a concerned citizen that illegal re-bagging of rice was being done in some warehouses.

    “This led the state coordinator and her team to conduct surveillance  on  the implicated warehouses to confirm the information.”

    Dosumu said the finding revealed that several bails of empty bags of popular local and foreign rice were in the warehouses, while different brands of rice had already been re-bagged.

    She said that sewing and sealing machines were also found in the warehouses.

    According to her, the managers at the warehouses, refused to disclose the source of the rice that were being re-bagged, hence, the status of the rice cannot be ascertained.

    “It is a dangerous trend that is capable of compromising the health of  consumers, as well as misleading labelling information.

    “In the interim, the bails of empty bags of different brands of rice found in the warehouses were mopped; samples of the re-bagged rice were taken for laboratory analysis, while the warehouses were shutdown.

    “This is pending the outcome of the laboratory reports, before further regulatory actions can be determined,’’ she said.

    Dosumu, however, reassured the public that the agency would continue to pursue its  mandate of safeguarding the health of  citizens, by ensuring  both drug and food safety in Nigeria.

    This is coming just as the Director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, warned that there was no hiding place for criminals.

    Adeyeye described some of the people as ‘merchants of death’ in the country, who had chosen to trade in regulated products, illegally.

  • NAFDAC explains position on importation of anti-leprosy drugs

    NAFDAC explains position on importation of anti-leprosy drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has emphasised its commitment to due process in the importation of Rifampicin, an anti-leprosy drug, into Nigeria.

    NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained the agency’s position on the matter in a statement on Monday.

    She was responding to a BBC report titled “Vital leprosy drugs due in Nigeria after year delay”.

    The report had suggested that NAFDAC had either delayed or prevented the importation of essential leprosy treatment.

    Adeyeye explained that before any drug could be imported into Nigeria, it must undergo rigorous testing, laboratory checks, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

    “This was the case with Rifampicin, the medicine in question, which NAFDAC was accused of delaying.

    “The BBC report also highlighted a request from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for NAFDAC to lift its new testing policy to expedite the importation of the medicine.”

     Adeyeye clarified that her response was aimed at providing accurate information and dispelling any misinformation circulating regarding the agency’s actions.

    NAFDAC, Adeyeye recalled, was established to safeguard public health through a robust legal and regulatory framework, ensuring that only safe, effective and quality medicines were available in Nigeria.

    “One of the agency’s key initiatives is the Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) Scheme which ensures that medicines from high-risk countries such as China and India, meet the required quality standards before being exported to Nigeria.

    “This policy, in place since 2002 and strengthened in 2020, ensures that medicines imported into Nigeria meet the highest standards.

    “A key component of this process is the submission of the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (CoPP), a document that verifies that a consignment of medicines has undergone thorough quality checks by the regulatory authority of the exporting country.

    “Developed by WHO, the CoPP provides assurance that medicines comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and meet safety, quality, and efficacy requirements.”

    Adeyeye clarified that the manufacturer of the Rifampicin consignment had failed to provide the necessary CoPP documentation, a critical part of the importation process.

    “To address that, WHO requested a waiver for the required documentation, which NAFDAC reviewed.

    “Upon receiving the appeal, NAFDAC requested a laboratory evaluation of the Rifampicin consignment from one of its approved CRIA laboratories in India to ensure the product met the necessary quality, safety, and efficacy standards.

    “Following satisfactory laboratory results, assurances, and the need to replenish the stock of the medicine for Nigerian patients, NAFDAC granted approval for the Rifampicin shipment to be exported to Nigeria.”

    Additionally, Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC was collaborating with local pharmaceutical industries to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.

    She said that the agency was strengthening regulatory systems and building local manufacturing capacity to ensure that quality medicines were available in Nigeria.

    Adeyeye reassured the public that NAFDAC would continue to ensure the availability of only safe, efficacious, and quality medicines for distribution, sale, and use within Nigeria.

  • NAFDAC denies report indicting PCN over counterfeit drug distribution

    NAFDAC denies report indicting PCN over counterfeit drug distribution

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),  has denied a  report  by a media house that   it indicted the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) over the  distribution of counterfeit medicines to Nigerians.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,  in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to her, the interview she granted to the media house  on March 1, where the said content was seen as an indictment on PCN was a clear misrepresentation of fact.

    Adeyeye said that she never spoke anything against PCN on the alleged distribution of counterfeit drug, adding that it was a clear mis representation of fact by the said  Media house.

    She said that  no where in the interview that she implicated PCN for any wrongdoing, but gave a detailed legal, regulatory, and historical perspective on the roles of the two organisations.

    Adeyeye said that she did spoke on ensuring safety of pharmaceuticals and the challenges that arose due to past regulatory inconsistencies.

    The NAFDAC boss said that the agency had reviewed with dismay, the recent misleading report aired by the Media house.

    She said that the report aired by the  Media house with  the headline: “NAFDAC implicates pharmacy Council of Nigeria on counterfeit medicine distribution was misquoted out of context.

    “The headline  is a gross misrepresentation of the facts conveyed during the press interview granted by the Director-General of  NAFDAC  on March 1. Nowhere in the interview did the D-G implicate the PCN in any wrongdoing.

    “The D-G  only gave a detailed legal, regulatory, and historical perspective on the roles of the two organisations in ensuring the safety of pharmaceuticals and the challenges that arose due to past regulatory inconsistencies.

    “It is imperative to note that the D-G’s remarks highlighted the complementary roles of NAFDAC and PCN in safeguarding public health.

    “The D-G specifically addressed the issue of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPMVs), whose regulation, over time, became a challenge due to fragmented oversight and subsequent litigations.

    “At no point was PCN accused of complicity in the circulation of fake medicines,” Adeyeye said.

    She  said that the agency aligns fully with the position of the PCN, as articulated in their official response and vehemently condemns the misrepresentation  during the news  conference granted to the media house.

    Adeyeye said that the erroneous headline published by the media house  was a distortion and falsification of the facts.

    She said  that it was misleading and could undermine the collaborative efforts of NAFDAC and PCN in ensuring pharmaceutical safety and regulatory compliance.

    “We wish to remind the media house of its responsibility under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition, 2016), particularly Section 5.0, Subsection 5.1.2

    Adeyeye said that its failure to adhere to content of broadcasting principles constitutes a breach of journalistic ethics and regulatory compliance.

    Adeyeye, however demanded an immediate public retraction of the misleading report from the media house, a public apology broadcast at the same level of prominence as the original report.

    She demanded a commitment from the station for ensuring accurate and factual reporting in future coverage of NAFDAC’s activities.

    She urged it  to take the necessary corrective action without delay to prevent further dissemination of misinformation.

    Adeyeye said  failure to do so will compel the agency to escalate the matter through appropriate regulatory and legal channels.

  • Popular Onitsha drug market reopens after almost one month shut down

    Popular Onitsha drug market reopens after almost one month shut down

    The Onitsha Drug Market, which was shut down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) during a crackdown on illicit drugs has been reopened.

    NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Martins Iluyomade, on Thursday confirmed the reopening noting that the decision to reopen the market came after a meeting with officials from the Anambra State government and market union representatives.

    He stated that trading activities in the markets would resume on Friday.

    The closure, which affected other sectors of the markets,  like the plumbing materials market, timber market, surgical materials market, and science laboratory materials market, was part of the agency’s broader effort to curb the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.

     Iluyomade, while addressing stakeholders before announcing the reopening, explained the rationale behind the agency’s actions: “What is happening here goes beyond only Ogbogwu (drug) market; it extends to other markets around this area, and that was why we took the steps we did by closing down everywhere.

    “I know there was a lot of apprehension, and people were asking why we locked other markets that had nothing to do with drugs. It seemed as if we were out to punish those who had no involvement. We did not respond because we did not want to join issues, but we found drugs in all the markets we closed.

    “What we found in other adjoining markets was just as much as what we found in Ogbogwu market. We did what we did because, if we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have covered the ground we were able to cover.”

    He recalled past challenges the agency faced during enforcement operations, including an incident where NAFDAC officials were attacked: “We were here last year for an operation, but our men were beaten, and even an officer of the Federal Republic was stripped naked for doing his legitimate duty.

    “We had to lock up everywhere because, if we hadn’t, there would have been collateral damage. This is a major drug market, and if something goes wrong here, drug supplies all over the country will be contaminated.”

    Iluyomade acknowledged Governor Charles Soludo’s role in supporting the agency’s efforts despite initial concerns: “We thank Governor Soludo for his visit. When he heard what we did here, he called to express concern about the welfare of his people, and when we explained to him, he backed the effort to sanitize the market. He later visited us and reiterated the same support as long as what we were doing was right.

    “People were already bringing ethnic coloration into it, but I thank the governor for not listening to them. In fact, the governor said there was a need for us to save ourselves because fake drugs kill indiscriminately, regardless of ethnicity.”

  • NAFDAC blacklists Indian medical company

    NAFDAC blacklists Indian medical company

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has blacklisted an India company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, for producing a range of harmful addictive pills capable of causing death.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, said the company is situated at the outskirts of Mumbai in India.

    She said that the company was involved in the production, sales and exportation of addictive pills containing harmful mix of Tapentadol (a powerful opioid) and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant with addictive properties that could result to overdosing or cause death.

    According to the NAFDAC boss, the mix comes as Tafrodol or Royal 225.

    The NAFDAC boss said that a BBC World Service investigation revealed that packets of these brands, branded with Aveo Logo, had been on sale on the streets of Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D’Ivoire towns and cities.

    “Aveo Pharmaceuticals, India, is also implicated in the manufacture of high dose tramadol for export to countries in West Africa, including Nigeria.

    “This press briefing is to inform the public that NAFDAC has never registered Tafrodol or Royal 225 or a strength of tramadol greater than 100 mg (the prescription strength), or any product manufactured by Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited.

    “Therefore, drawing from the NAFDAC Act Cap N. 1 Law of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, and the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C. 34 LFN 2004, NAFDAC has decided to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited.

    “We have also put in place measures to prevent future registration of any product manufactured by this company.

    “The public is, therefore, advised to support NAFDAC’s fight against fake, substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products.

    “They are also advised to avoid the use of unregistered products and consumption of medicines without prescription from trained medical practitioners,” Adeyeye said.

    She said that an undercover operative sent inside the factory hidden camera , posing as an African businessman looking to supply opioids to Nigeria, recorded his interaction with one of Aveo’s directors, Vinod Sharma.

    Sharma confessed to the exportation of large consignments of these combination of drugs across West Africa and their distribution for abuse as street drugs and opioids.

    Adeyeye said that this combination of drugs was not licensed for use anywhere in the world and was not  registered by NAFDAC, noting that it could cause breathing difficulties and seizures .

    The NAFDAC boss said that an overdose of the drugs could kill, adding that, in spite the risks, these opioids were popular as street drugs in many West African countries, because they were so cheap and widely available.

    The D-G assured the public that NAFDAC would continue to deploy various methods to ensure that only quality, safe, and efficacious medicines are available for distribution, sale and use within Nigeria.

    According to her, NAFDAC has consistently worked to ensure that the public health is protected through the entrenchment of international best practices during product registration, which include dossier reviews, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection, and laboratory analysis of products intended for registration.

    She said that among it, the agency also worked on Post Marketing Surveillance activities and Pre-shipment Inspection Scheme, also known as Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) Scheme for high-risk countries like India.

    She explained that these measures were there to support NAFDAC’s efforts at preventing importation and distribution of substandard, fake, and falsified pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC had intensified its enforcement activities against the sale of illicit and counterfeit Pharmaceuticals across major distribution channels and hub across the country.

    She said that this would continue to happen to make Nigeria an uncomfortable place to engage in such unethical and unapproved distribution of fake, substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products.

    The NAFDAC boss said that the agency was also working with other regulatory authorities and security agencies to curb their entry into Nigeria through the borders, and thereby prevent the distribution and circulation of these dangerous products.

    She said that with partnership with  the public, NAFDAC would continue to carry out its major mandate of safeguarding the health of Nigerians.