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Tag: NAFDAC

  • NAFDAC goes after factories producing unsafe drinking water

    NAFDAC goes after factories producing unsafe drinking water

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a factory producing drinking water under unsanitary conditions and selling to the public for consumption.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NAFDAC uncovered the facility manufacturing the unsafe drinking water on Friday while conducting a compliance operation targeting water production factories in the FCT.

    The agency conducted the compliance operation in the Gwarimpa and Nyanya areas of the FCT and disclosed that all illegal products uncovered in Gwarimpa were destroyed on-site.

    “In Gwarimpa, inspectors uncovered a facility manufacturing and selling unregistered sachet and table water under unsanitary conditions. All illegal products were destroyed on-site.

    “In Nyanya, some facilities were issued compliance directives to address observed gaps before resuming production,” NAFDAC stated.

    TNG reports the agency emphasised its commitment to consumer safety and encouraged the public to report suspected illegal activities or products to aid its regulatory efforts.

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake popular malaria medication

    NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake popular malaria medication

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to a fake popular malaria medication currently in circulation in the market.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NAFDAC disclosed the name of the malaria medication as Combiart Dispersible Tablet 20/120mg and that it is manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited, based in India.

    According to the food and drugs agency, the counterfeit Combiart Dispersible was discovered in the federal capital territory (FCT) and in Rivers State, during surveillance activities conducted by officers of the Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC.

    “The Laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed that it contained Zero APIs. The product was also observed to have two different date markings.

    “The NAFDAC database of registered products has confirmed that the product license has expired and the NAFDAC Registration Number on it is wrong and not for the product,” the agency stated.

    TNG reports Artemether and Lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito.

    “However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria,” NAFDAC disclosed.

    According to the agency, counterfeit or falsified medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which means the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

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

    The agency disclosed that all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

    “Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

    “All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    “Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    “Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng”, NAFDAC stated.

  • NAFDAC busts fake alcohol factory in FCT

    NAFDAC busts fake alcohol factory in FCT

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday raided an illegal alcoholic drink factory in Lugbe axis of the FCT.

    The operation led to the confiscation of adulterated alcoholic beverages and the discovery of expired salt with altered expiry dates.

    During the enforcement operation, the agency intensified efforts to curb the circulation of substandard goods, counterfeits, and rebranded products.

    Mr Shaba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement for NAFDAC’s Federal Task Force, told reporters that Lugbe has become a hub for producing and distributing substandard alcoholic beverages.

    He noted that imitation brands in the area now carry fake labels of popular alcoholic brands.

    Mohammed explained that the team found premises where counterfeit alcohol was being repackaged in used bottles with fake labels and altered expiration dates.

    “This is one of many recent operations in the FCT, the counterfeit products were manufactured in a residential apartment, using fake packaging materials, often over weekends.

    “NAFDAC has sealed the facility and summoned those responsible for further investigation.

    “We will remove the counterfeit products from the production site, and our Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate will sweep the market to clear out any remaining items”.

    Mr Tamanuwa Andrew, Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement for NAFDAC in Kaduna, reported similar findings in Wuse Market and Mararaba, a community bordering the FCT and Nasarawa.

    He noted an increase in unregistered herbal remedies and pharmaceutical products, stating that NAFDAC would intensify surveillance to protect public health.

    “As the festive season approaches, counterfeiters often exploit the increased demand to distribute harmful products, we are ramping up enforcement actions to prevent these activities.

    “We advise consumers to carefully check product labels before purchase, authentic products display a valid manufacturer’s address and clear labeling, unlike counterfeits that often use recycled bottles with incomplete or mismatched information”.

    He stated that penalties for those involved in producing counterfeit goods will be determined following further investigation.

  • Wines worth N41.2m seized as NAFDAC raids shops in Nasarawa

    Wines worth N41.2m seized as NAFDAC raids shops in Nasarawa

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has confirmed seizing counterfeit and adulterated wines and spirits worth N41.2 million in Nasarawa State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NAFDAC made this known on Monday after conducting a major raid on wine shops in Mararaba market and the New Nyanya and Masaka areas of Nasarawa State.

    According to the agency, the operation, targeted counterfeit and adulterated wines and spirits, resulted in the seizure of the products valued at over N41.2 million.

    The agency wrote: “NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement team is actively investigating the importers or manufacturers behind these counterfeit drinks”.

    NAFDAC, meanwhile, urged consumers to remain vigilant and report suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office for immediate action.

  • NIVEA reacts as NAFDAC warn Nigerians about its ‘invisible roll on’

    NIVEA reacts as NAFDAC warn Nigerians about its ‘invisible roll on’

    Beiersdorf Nivea Consumer Products Nig. Ltd has reacted to the recent warning of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the recall of its product, Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on Deodorant (50ml).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG)recalls that NAFDAC in a recent notice on Thursday warned Nigerians to avoid using Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50ml) with the batch number as 93529610.

    Highlighting concerns about the product, the agency disclosed the presence of 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a chemical banned in cosmetic products due to its potential health risks, including reproductive harm, risk to unborn children, and skin irritation or burns.

    Reacting in a statement on Saturday, NIVEA management, through its media consultant, said the product with Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria.

    It said the product expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

    The statement read: “NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll On Deodorant Batch No. 93529610 Not On Sale in Nigeria

    “We have been made aware of a safety alert notification issued by NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX). The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).

    “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.

    “We wish to assure our esteemed customers that the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled by Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, as the legal manufacturer. The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

    “As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.

    “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.

    “In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.

    “Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation.”

  • NAFDAC seals popular eatery in Abuja

    NAFDAC seals popular eatery in Abuja

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed an eatery, “The Place,” in Wuse 2, Abuja, on Thursday, due to inadequate Good Hygiene Practice (GHP).

    The agency also confiscated food raw materials suspected to be contaminated with rodent faeces and droppings, citing unhygienic packaging.

    Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Head of NAFDAC’s FCT Directorate, stated that the enforcement team acted on a tip from a customer and an order from Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

    He said that the operation aimed to promote public health safety and ensured safe, quality food for Nigerian citizens.

    Azikiwe emphasised that NAFDAC’s mandate includes supervising manufacturing, distribution, and adherence to regulations.

    He noted that all restaurants must comply with NAFDAC Food Hygiene Regulations, ensuring safe and quality food processing.

    Azikiwe said that the agency would penalise the eatery according to its regulations, which outline penalties for poor hygiene practices.

    “Before imposing penalties, NAFDAC will assess the eatery’s premises, staff, facilities, and raw material sources.”

    Azikiwe encouraged other FCT restaurant operators to obtain NAFDAC’s food hygiene documents and certification, highlighting the agency’s ongoing evaluations and potential benefits.

    He urged restaurant operators in the FCT to visit NAFDAC’s office or website (www.nafdac.gov.ng) for safety guidelines and information.

  • NAFDAC workers vow to continue strike

    NAFDAC workers vow to continue strike

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), NAFDAC Branch, has vowed to continue its ongoing strike action till their demands are met.

    In an interview on Saturday in Kaduna, the Chairman of the chapter, Adetoboye Ayodeji, said it is left for the agency’s management to call the union for negotiation in order to see actionable evidence that things would be done appropriately.

    Workers of the agency began an indefinite strike on Oct. 7, to demand the review of the 2024 promotion examinations.

    The strike was also to address the allegations that the majority of the staff were not promoted as a result of the purported “vacancy slot” from the Head of Service, even when they all qualified to be promoted.

    Ayodeji also claimed that some statutory arrears and other benefits were not paid to some of the staff employed by the agency in 2022.

    He explained that the union’s had earlier signed an agreement with the government and NAFDAC management in 2022 bordering on the workers condition of service which ought to have been finalised.

    “The issues in the agreement were supposed to be settled in December 2022 but till date, none of the agreement have been complied to.

    “Allowances that are supposed to be approved on or before December 2022 have not been approved, the condition of service could not be approved,”he lamented.

    Ayodeji said the union had written several letters to the NAFDAC management regarding the concerns without adequate response.

    He also alleged that m in 2024, the agency did promotion examinations with many of the staff who passed the examinations not promoted.

    He added that the management’s claim was due to lack of vacancy.

    “Unfortunately the management was recruiting at the same time into the positions that they claim there was no vacancy while those that are rising through the ranks are not promoted, outsiders are brought to occupy the positions,” he alleged.

    Ayodeji wondered why not up to 220 staff were promoted in the examinations that were written by over 700 staff.

    “Only 36 per cent of participants in the examinations were promoted, we therefore said no, it is never possible.

    “They cannot promote less than 80 per cent of the participants. We rejected the entire promotion exercise and asked that more staff be promoted. There can never be motivation in an agency where 36 per cent of staff are only promoted.

    “It will have a devastating effect on the staff morale thereby affecting the health of the 200 million Nigerians,”he said.

    Speaking further, the chairman said part of the reason for their strike action was an issue of allowances in the staff salaries that was lingering for over 20 years.

    Ayodeji said the union had written to the NAFDAC management but no reason or explanation was given and even issued a two-weeks note before the strike but no response.

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the NAFDAC’s Director-General, in a statement issued to NAN on Monday, denied all the claims.

    She claimed that the agency had been following the rules on payment of arrears and estacode, and reiterated its commitment to promoting the workers’ welfare.

  • NAFDAC DG denies responsibility for limited promotion vacancies

    NAFDAC DG denies responsibility for limited promotion vacancies

    The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, says she is not responsible for the limited vacancies in the agency.

    The Adeyeye said this in a statement by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola on Monday in Abuja.

    NAN reports that workers of the agency had began an indefinite strike on Oct. 7.

    They were calling on the management to review the 2024 promotion exam for staff of the agency.

    The strike action was initiated by staff unions in the agency, like the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies (SSACGOC) and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).

    They had called for the strike on allegation that majority of the staff were not promoted as a result of the purported “vacancy slot” from the Head of Service,
    even when they all qualified to be promoted.

    The unions had also claimed that some statutory arrears and other benefits were not paid to some of the staff employed by the agency in 2022.

    Meanwhile, the Director-General denied all the claims, saying that the agency has been following the rules on payment of arrears and estacode, and is committed to promoting the workers’ welfare.

    According to her, the management is not in charge of the number of people to be promoted, we are only responsible to conduct exams.

    She said that the office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) is always responsible for allocating available vacancies that the government can pay for.

    “It is not that there is vacancy and we are not promoting. It is what the government can pay for that they approve as vacancy every year.

    “It is not different from any other agency,” she said.

    On the issue of estacode/arreas raised by the striking workers, the NAFDAC boss said that there was nothing wrong with the agency’s estacode policy.

    “We are not different from any other agency, the estacode will be paid when the evidence of the trip is presented. We have never owed any staff any travel allowance,” she said.

  • NAFDAC destroys N10bn fake, expired drugs

    NAFDAC destroys N10bn fake, expired drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, expired and substandard drugs worth over N10 billion.

    Director General of the agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Gombe.

    She said the products were confiscated by NAFDAC officials from manufacturers, importers and distributors in the six states of the Northeast geo-political zone.

    Represented by the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr Kenneth Azikwe, the NAFDAC said the products destroyed included substandard, fake and falsely labelled medicines, unwholesome food products, cosmetics, among others.

    She said the exercise was a testament to the agency’s commitment to rid markets of substandard, falsified, and unwholesome products that pose serious risks to public health.

    “The products we are about to destroy, including food, drugs, and other regulated items worth N10 billion, were seized through the diligent efforts of our regulatory and enforcement officers in the zone, who work tirelessly to intercept and confiscate these dangerous items.

    “These products, if allowed to circulate, could have caused untold harm to countless individuals. By removing them from circulation, we are taking a decisive stand against those who seek to profit at the expense of public safety,” Prof. Adeyeye said.

    The director general reiterated that the agency would ensure that only quality and safe food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water are consumed and sold in Nigeria.

    She added that NAFDAC would not relent in its efforts to protect the health of Nigerians, through enhanced surveillance activities, and by ensuring that violators are brought to justice.

    Earlier, the state Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr James Agada, said the agency was aking a decisive stand against dealers of drugs prioritising profits over public safety.

    He stated that the destruction exercise was a key component of NAFDAC’s market control strategies to ensure only quality products reach markets.

    Agada assured that the agency would continue to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance surveillance, and bring violators to justice.

  • Just in: NAFDAC staff union begin indefinite nationwide strike today

    Just in: NAFDAC staff union begin indefinite nationwide strike today

    The Staff of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC began an indefinite nationwide strike today, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to management.

    The decision to down tools was confirmed after a congress of NAFDAC staff convened on Friday, October 4, 2024 over unresolved issues.

    The striking workers, under the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies SSASCGOC, have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate offices. They were also ordered to remove personal belongings as the strike begins.

    The demands of the staff include a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently reflect a pass rate of just 35%.

    The union is pushing for a minimum benchmark of 80% for this year and future exams. Another key demand is the settlement of salary arrears for employees hired in 2022 among others

    In a statement signed by Secretary of the Association, Ejor Michael, the union accused NAFDAC management of ignoring their grievances, calling the inaction insufferable.

    The staff have vowed to continue the strike until all demands outlined in their communiqué are met.

    NAFDAC, which plays a critical role in regulating Nigeria’s food, drug, and pharmaceutical industries, is expected to face significant operational disruptions as a result of the industrial action.

    Efforts to obtain a response from NAFDAC management regarding the strike have been unsuccessful at the time of this report.