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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday engaged stakeholders in the North-West zone about how to identify substandard and counterfeit medical products.
The agency's director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the implementation of the GreenBook, Traceability Project, and Pediatric Policy to fight against counterfeit medical items.
Adeyeye, represented by Bitrus Fraden, the director of post-marketing surveillance at NAFDAC, explained that the GreenBook is a resource for consumers to recognize and steer clear of potentially fake or low-quality products.
“Traceability provides a legal framework for tracking products throughout the supply chain, while the Pediatric Regulation 2024 aims to cater to children's specific medical needs. With this technology, stakeholders can spot and avert the infiltration of fake products into the supply chain,” she stated.
Adeyeye highlighted that the workshop's purpose was to furnish information, heighten awareness among healthcare providers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, and provide training on the three newly introduced technologies designed to identify counterfeit products.
“Given that counterfeiters are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques in their operations, the agency is committed to leveraging technology and modern approaches to curb their actions. Hence, the education of stakeholders is crucial,” she emphasized.
She also noted that NAFDAC has long employed various strategies to tackle substandard and counterfeit products, including consumer safety publications and advertising counterfeit products via newspapers, television, and social media.
Adeyeye urged all healthcare sector stakeholders to back the initiatives aimed at combating counterfeit products and to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality, safe, and effective medical items.
In addition, Fraden Mullah, the director of the North-West zone, pointed out that the region faces significant challenges with fake and counterfeit products, especially in Kano, complicating the identification and classification of substandard items.
“The agency possesses the authority to prosecute individuals found guilty of such offences, with penalties ranging from closures and seizures to the revocation of licenses,” he mentioned.
The event saw participation from various stakeholders, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, nurses, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, and the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED).
