NAFDAC to clamp down on substandard products

In an effort to eradicate the proliferation of substandard products in the country, the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Control( NAFDAC), has declared renewed war against substandard products in Nigeria.

The newly appointed Director General (DG) of the agency Professor Mojisola Adeyeye made the declaration when he resumed at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja at the weekend.

In her address, the DG stressed the importance  of the Agency to the health  of all Nigerians saying it ensures that the health of all Nigerians and foreigners residing in the country are not jeopardised with the use of substandard drugs.

She said: “The concern of our people are mainly about safety of our drugs,foods,medical  devices and water. Most people including those who manufacture fake drugs and sell bad foods or water do not plan to kill people, but may not fully understand that chemicals can kill hundreds of people easily.

“During my tenure, I will lead the Agency towards eliminating substandard,falsified,and unsafe drugs, medical devices, foods and water.”

Adeyeye noted that the agency was established by Decree 15 of 1993 to regulate and Control the importation, exportation ,manufacture ,distribution,advertisement ,sale and use of food,drug,cosmetics,chemicals,packaged water among others in Nigeria.

She further reiterated her commitment to staff welfare adding that meetings would be held with top management staff as well as the Union to this effect.

The Medical and Health Workers Union chapter of NAFDAC had over two months ago, embarked on an indefinite strike action,demanding improved welfare of staff.

This, she said include the training of the agency’s stuff in regulatory science and clinical trial management in compliance with international standards.

Adeyeye also, pledged to ensure that the agency is aligned with international standards in medical product regulation to ensure safety,efficacy and quality of locally manufactured drugs and medical products.

“This will contribute towards the elimination of substandard and unsafe medical products. It will also create market opportunities for Nigeria in the supply of essential medicines to ECOWAS countries and beyond,”She added.

Adeyeye is the founding Chair of Biophamarceutical Sciences and Professor of Phamarceutics and Drugs Product Evaluation at the Voegele of Phamarceutics, Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, Illinois.

She is said to have  thirty years experience in quality drug development,adaptive formulation,clinical trials and associated regulatory requirements.