Health and Safety
NAFDAC NATIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN: Partners With Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Stakeholders
…On Prevention, Detection, And Response To Substandard And Falsified Medicine
The NAFDAC has Vowed to close down the sale and distribution outlets Facilitating the Spread of Fake Drugs, as It stresses it’s determination to combat the incidence of Substandard and Falsified (SF) medicines in the country,
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has subsequently engaged stakeholders in the pharmaceutical products supply chain in its resolve to put an end to the menace and effectively safeguard the health of Nigerians.
The Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, at a stakeholders meeting organized by NAFDAC on Thursday, emphasized the need to explore how to combat the sale and distribution of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products within the supply chain, insisting that the Agency would not hesitate to clamp down on wholesale and retail outlets where fake drugs are dispensed for public use.
According to her, the engagement with Pharma supply chain stakeholders in Nigeria serves as a means of thinking together and putting in place a position that will represent or guide collective efforts and strategy to prevent, detect, and respond to substandard and falsified medicinal products, adding that the goal is to ensure that medical products in circulation are of the quality standard required and safe for public use.
The NAFDAC boss noted that the high prevalence of SF in Africa is a major threat to public health, attributing this to the fact that regulation in the region is limited with about 10% of African National Regulatory Agencies NRAs having achieved ML3.
Prof Adeyeye noted with dismay that this allows for poorly regulated manufacturers to supply their products in Africa where technologies to detect SF and track/trace are limited.
She added that the menace of substandard and falsified medical products threatens access to safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines, undermining health systems and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage globally.
With the mandate to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, detergents, medical devices, and packaged water generally referred to as Regulated Products, she noted that this puts a burden on the Agency to lead the fight against SF medical products in Nigeria and support efforts that will see a reduction in the prevalence of SF medical products both locally manufactured and imported.
The DG explained that NAFDAC is not the only regulatory agency in terms of substandard falsified medicines, adding that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) probably has more to do in the fight against fake drugs.
She, however, relished a cordial relationship that exists between the two sister agencies, insisting that we must do this fight together.
Prof Adeyeye explained that currently, NAFDAC is doing its best to fight this issue of Substandard and Falsified products, stating that the fight against Substandard/Falsified medical products is based on three broad thematic areas Prevent, Detect, and Respond (PDR).
She said that NAFDAC operatives are not just going on the streets to look for substandard falsified medicines but also going after products that have been approved in Southeast Asia en route to Nigeria.
She reiterated that 70 percent of medicines used in Nigeria come from outside which necessitated the establishment of a Pre-shipment testing scheme that has stopped over 124 products that were approved from coming into the Nigerian market.
According to her, some of the SF medicines do not have content, some will not disintegrate, and some will not dissolve. In contrast, some of them have wrong labelling and all sorts of non-compliance, adding that the Agency is dealing with that now with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Prof Adeyeye further disclosed that most of the products stopped from coming into the Nigerian market have fake certificates of pharmaceutical products. Noting that it takes two to tango, Prof. Adeyeye opined that its not just India bringing substandard falsified medicines to us, it is us; Nigerians that connive with them to bring in cheap products at the detriment of lives in Nigeria.
Furthermore, She disclosed that over 124 shipments have been stopped, adding that these are products that had been approved, that could have been in circulation in Nigeria for five years.
So, if ten containers per year for one particular product or two containers per year should find their way into Nigeria, you can figure out what the consequences might be.
The NAFDAC boss, however, announced the berth of a new regulatory directive with emphasis on the source of raw materials used in the production process. For those that are registering new products, she said they must procure raw materials from approved sources like WHO Prequalified sources, FDA, or other stringent Regulatory Authorities.
If you don’t source from a prequalified source, we will not register the product, she said.
She, however, dispelled the news going around, over the alleged proliferation of fake drugs in the country, saying the proliferation news that has been going on is false.
There is no proliferation of substandard medicines. We do a national survey, sampling of products using scientific methods from different parts of the country., she said, adding that the survey was done in
2021 and 2022 for ant-malaria with a 10 percent prevalence level.
We couldn’t do it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. She explained further, If you live very close to the border where people come in and out the prevalence may be higher there. Thats statistics.
The average is about 10%, she said, insisting that proliferation is not synonymous with shortage because the two words are now used together. The fact that we have a shortage of medicines does not mean there is a proliferation of substandard falsified medicines.
The survey for 2023 is not ready yet. We will publish 2021 and 2022.
She noted that the Pharmaceutical Supply chain plays a vital role in ensuring that safe, quality, and efficacious medicines reach the end users, adding that there is therefore a need to foster complementary partnerships that will seek to identify lapses in the supply chain system to improve the chances of winning the war on substandard and falsified medical products in Nigeria.
We have formal and informal markets. Do not buy medicines from the informal market. We do a lot of raids in Oke- Arin, Idumota markets Lagos, Onitsha head bridge where you can buy a product maybe 50 per cent or 80 per cent cheaper because of low quality, she added, the state of the economy shouldn’t be an excuse for people to buy poison under the guise of cheap products.
I enjoin you to sustain your support to NAFDAC to ensure that only safe, efficacious, and quality medicines are used in Nigeria. NAFDAC, as the regulatory agency is seeking the support of all stakeholders in the pharma industry and supply chain system to improve our chances of winning the war on SF medical products.
The Supply chain stakeholders made very useful contributions for input into the National Strategic document to guide our collective efforts towards combating the menace of the SF in the country.
The stakeholders present at the supply chain engagements include the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( PMG-MAN), Association of Community Pharmacist of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association of Nigeria (PWDAN), Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NIROPHARM), Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN), Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacist of Nigeria (AHAPN), Nigeria Army Medical corps, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), National of Veterinary Medical Association(NVMA). Others are different companies represented under PMG-MAN, APIN, PWDAN, and Niropharm.
Health and Safety
SON, NAFDAC Reiterate Warning Against Substandard, Fake Products In Nigerian Markets
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have warned producers and suppliers against flooding the nation’s markets with substandard and fake products.
The Director General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okereke, at a one-day Stakeholders workshop tagged “Growing Businesses Through Standardisation” in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, said substandard items were not good for a growing economy.
Okereke was represented by Mrs Talutu Athan, Director, Cooperate Affairs Department of SON.
He said the workshop was aimed at strengthening and deepening stakeholders’ operators’ knowledge, understanding and co-operation with the organisation concerning standardisation activities for growing businesses.
He noted that standards adherence and compliance remained a major way to attain economic and industrial growth.
“Today’s economic reputation is as important as Customers want to know, not only what you produce, but how.
“For our goods to reach the premium market beyond our borders, they must reach established benchmarks. These benchmarks are not created to exclude it frustrate producers.
“SON is committed to fighting against substandard goods. This is because when one trader floods the market with fake or inferior products, the reputation of genuine producers is also damaged.
“We cannot do it alone; we need your support. We need your partnership with stakeholders like you.
“Standards are not rules from above; they are building blocks for resilience and growth. They give you an edge in a crowded marketplace. They protect your investments. They turn hard work into lasting success.
“SON has toll-free lines that one can contact in terms of substandard goods. These are 08099937380, 07056990099,” the Director General said.
Also speaking, Mr Emeka Orajaka, Coordinator of NAFDAC in Ebonyi, said he was committed to fighting against fake and inferior products in the markets.
Orajaka, however, pledged support to SON to get rid of substandard goods across the markets in the country.
He urged producers and suppliers to embrace the campaign against fake products and ensure that their products are certified before taking them to the market.
A Resource Pearson, Mr Lawal Ayanda, who spoke on a topic, “Growing Businesses Through Standardisation”, said the importance of using made in Nigeria goods, especially cables and wires, could not be over-emphasised.
Ayanda described a made-in-Nigeria cable as the best due to its resistance to fire.
Nigeria cables are flame retardant. They are resistant to fire. All Nigerian cables have SON logos,” he stated.
Mrs Maryrose Ugwueche, State Coordinator of SON in Ebony, thanked all the stakeholders for their activities in the state.
The other stakeholders at the workshop included the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), among others.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised a notorious ISWAP terrorist commander, Malam Jidda, along with scores of his fighters in a coordinated air and ground operation in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe and the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno.
This is contained in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Tuesday by Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai.
According to the statement, the operation was launched on June 9 in Ngazalgana area of Gujba LGA, with close air support from the Air Component of OPHK.
“Malam Jidda, who was identified as the Ameer of Ngorgore and Malumti villages, met his end during a fierce engagement with troops, who overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower,” the statement said.
The statement noted that some terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, while others were neutralised during a follow-up encounter in the Timbuktu Triangle, where troops conducted a snap ambush operation.
“In the course of continued exploitation in the Mallamfatori general area of Abadam LGA, where recent offensives had been recorded, troops discovered more bodies of neutralised terrorists and recovered an array of arms and equipment,” it added.
It listed recovered items to include: AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, rocket-propelled gun tubes, magazines, large quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, hand-held radios, and other logistical items.
The army spokesman noted that the renewed offensive underlines the effectiveness of the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts by Operation Hadin Kai, supported by precise and timely air strikes.
He reaffirmed the Theatre Command’s commitment to completely defeating Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and the restoration of peace and security in the North-East.
Health and Safety
Kogi Police Confirm Death Of Retired Major In Abductors Den, Even After N10m Ransom
The Kogi Police Command has confirmed the death of a retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, at the hands of his abductors, even after the payment of N10 million ransom by his family for his release.
SP Williams Ovye-Aya, the spokesman of the command, confirmed this to the NewsMen on Monday in Lokoja.
The reporter reports that Ajayi, 76, was kidnapped from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi on May 21.
Ovye-Aya said that the remains of the deceased retired army officer had been recovered and deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary, according to the Bunu Leaders Forum.
He, however, assured that the command would leave no stone unturned in unravelling those behind the dastardly act and arrest them as well as make them face the wrath of the law.
Similarly, the Chairman and Secretary of Bunu Leaders Forum, Prof. Olu Obafemi and Dr Ade Abanida, respectively, also confirmed the incident.
According to them, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million, which the family could not pay, as a result, the deceased’s health deteriorated due to a lack of medication.
“The kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N10 million after discovering that his condition was critical.
“The family, who reportedly thought that he was still alive, quickly agreed and paid the ransom to the kidnappers.
“Thereafter, the kidnappers directed the family to where they could find him, but shockingly, they only found his lifeless body.”
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Sunday Karimi, has described the killing of the retired army officer as a “very unfortunate and sad development”.
Karimi, in a statement issued in Lokoja, lamented the insecurity situation in the district.
According to him, the whole of Kogi West is now under siege in the hands of kidnappers, with people afraid to leave their houses.
IMO Elections: MWUN Rallies Behind Nigeria: Comrade Bunu Lauds NIMASA’s Dedication
NIMASA: May 30 PIRACY INCIDENT, Not in Nigerian Waters
Mokwa Flood: NRC Boss Commiserates with Victims
Paris Club refund: Court freezes seven accounts linked to Governors’ forum
Inflation hits 6-year high at 13.7%
Suspected Herdsmen kill seven Policemen in Adamawa
IMO 2022: Mu’azu Sambo unfolds Vision, Targets NTC Enactment, Unbundling Railway
NIMASA: Nigeria’s Vision for Functional Dry-docking, Based on PPP Arrangement Solidly on Course
