Business

Narcotics consumption: We will only make it available to medical professionals — NAFDAC

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

…Vows to curb illicit use

T he Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has reiterated the Agency’s commitment to ensuring the availability of narcotics and controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes while preventing diversion to illicit use in Nigeria.

The assertion, however, came against the backdrop of the unprecedented outcry by the Provost of the Medical School, University of Lagos, Prof Adewale Anthonio Oke that some surgeons and other medical professionals involved in the surgical operation of patients tend to be addicted to narcotic drugs used as painkillers for patients after surgery.

Speaking at the launch of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) annual report availability supplement and precursor report 2023 by NAFDAC in Lagos on Thursday, Prof Adeyeye admitted that narcotics and psychotropic substances are indispensable in the management of pains and other medical conditions.

However, due to the addictive potential of many of them, she noted that there is a need to balance the access and control of these substances, adding that INCB therefore reports the world drug situation yearly to inform governments of countries that are party to the International Conventions on drug control efforts.

According to her, the annual report for the year 2023 has a special focus on the role of the Internet, including social media, in drug trafficking and use. It explores the challenges and opportunities for drug control, prevention, and treatment, in the era of the Internet, with a specific look at the evolving landscape of online drug trafficking.

The NAFDAC boss who was represented by the Director, Laboratory Services (Food), Dr Charles Nwachukwu, however, stressed that Competent National Authorities must scale up their activities, and monitor online advertisement and sales of controlled substances to stay ahead of traffickers.

The report further analyses the global availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes. It highlights the persistent disparities in access to medicines for the treatment of pain. The precursors report x-rays issues related to trafficking in synthetic drugs including non-medical synthetic opioids, cocaine and their precursors which represent a growing threat to public health.

The DG reiterated some of the measures already put in place by NAFDAC to ensure availability and prevent the diversion of controlled medicines to illegal use.

E -permit issuance: The Agency has commenced the issuance of an electronic permit to import controlled substances since 2017 with the intention to link this process to the international Import and Export Authorization system (I2ES).

Pre-Export Notification (PEN) Online System: This platform has been of great utility in monitoring international trade in controlled medicines and precursor chemicals. Its use is to confirm the legitimacy of transactions of proposed imports.

Monitoring the integrity of the distribution chain: The Agency is scaling up its monitoring and surveillance of the distribution chain by verification of sales, documentation review and increasing the frequency of warehouse and facility inspection.

National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP): This is a multi-agency, multi-sectoral strategic planning and implementation framework that covers key aspects of drug supply and reduction impacting Nigeria. It is aimed at strengthening responses to drugs to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well-being of all Nigerians.

National Pharmaceutical Traceability: NAFDAC’s traceability implementation strategy is in line with the Nigeria National Traceability Strategy Policy document published by the Federal Ministry of Health in May 2020. The implementation started with controlled substances in January 2024. Other pharmaceutical products will be added in due course.

Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS): INCB Regional Technical Officer for Central and West Africa has been selecting focal points for multi-agency training courses on real-time communication and intelligence sharing tools (IONICS and GRIDS intelligence) and awareness raising and safe handling of dangerous substances in the region. This aims to support law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify and dismantle criminal organisations through the identification of modus operandi, risk profiling operations, and the exchange of information for launching and supporting investigations and enforcement operations against the trafficking of new psychoactive substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids, and other dangerous substances.

Drug Demand Reduction Activities: The Agency carries out education and awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, religion organizations, marketplaces etc. and collaborates with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) NGOs and other relevant organisations to create drug abuse sensitization across the country.

She, however, acknowledged the collaborative efforts and cooperation of sister agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and The Nigeria Police, who have all been of tremendous help to the agency.

Speaking in the same vein, Provost of the Medical School, University of Lagos, Prof. David Adewale Anthonio Oke, underscored the aptness of the occasion, given the fact that in clinical practices, several drugs and derivatives of narcotics, particularly opium and their derivatives are used in pain management, most especially in some critical conditions that involve excruciating pains.

Prof Oke, who was represented by Prof Olatunji Aina, a professor of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine disclosed that not only the members of the public indulge in abuse of medical narcotics. He lamented that doctors and other professionals that have these drugs in custody at the hospitals overtime tend to be addicted to the drugs they administer to the patients.

“Even amongst our colleagues in the health practice, especially those that work in the theater including professionals that are directly in charge of these drugs, some of them overtime tend to be addicted to the drugs,” he said, describing it as a big public health problem that only a collaboration between NAFDAC and NDLEA could nip in the bud.

He explained that some medical conditions like sickle cell disease crisis, orthopedic cases, particularly fracture cases and in the management of cancer, would warrant giving some of these narcotics to the patients to relieve them of severe pain.

He averred that severe pain is one of the symptoms in most cases of cancer when the tumor is exerting pressure on a certain part of the body, adding that in post-surgery, quite a number of these drugs are used in management of pain after surgery.

According to him, the dilemma of the physician is when the patient now becomes addicted, stressing that it is very important to know at what point a patient no longer requires analgesics and has become addicted.

In some cases, he said sometimes when you think the clinical situation has improved and would not warrant demand for analgesics, such patients still demand the drugs.

“I’m very happy about the control of these medicines by NAFDAC because it’s one of the commonest problems we have in psychiatry, particularly patients that are addicted to the controlled medicines and injections,” he said.

Business

Nigeria to host 2025 NADPA conference

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

NewsDirect

By Blessing Emmanuel

Nigeria has been unanimously selected to host the 10th edition of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities’ (NADPA-RADPA) Conference and Annual General Meeting.

This was announced after the country made a bid made by the country’s representative, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) at the just concluded 9th NADPA Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Led by the National Commissioner/CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, NDPC emerged as the frontrunner among the 23 Data Protection Authorities across Africa.

Established in Ouagadougou in 2016, NADPA-RAPDP aims to foster collaboration among its members and amplify Africa’s voice in global partnerships. Nigeria’s active engagement since joining in 2022, including its role as coordinator for the Regulatory Harmonization working group, underscores its commitment to the network’s objectives.

In a statement by Head of Media Unit at NDPC, Mr. Itunu Dosekun, the recent Nairobi conference saw an impressive turnout, with over 1500 individuals and organisations, including multinational corporations like Google, Amazon Web Services, EY, and Microsoft, alongside development partners such as the European Union and the German Corporation.

The 2025 conference in Nigeria promises to be a pivotal platform for Data Protection Authorities to convene, collaborate, and exchange insights on emerging trends and challenges in data protection and privacy. Beyond fostering economic growth through Foreign Direct Investments and boosting the tourism sector, the event will elevate Nigeria’s reputation as a hub for innovation and academic excellence.

As Nigeria prepares to welcome esteemed delegates, the conference underscores the country’s dedication to advancing data protection principles and fostering international cooperation. With a multifaceted agenda, the event is poised to drive advancement within the data protection landscape and beyond, igniting growth and fostering collaboration.

Business

FG unveils portal to promote ease of investments in mining sector

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

NewsDirect

The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a portal to facilitate the ease of investments into Nigeria’s mining sector.

The portal was unveiled by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake.

Speaking, Alake said the Nigeria Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMDSS) underscores the commitment of the federal government to expanding access of prospective investors to necessary information about Nigeria’s mineral deposits, policies guiding the mining sector and incentives for investment from anywhere in the world.

The Nigeria Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMDSS) is a marketing strategy to enhance the ease of doing business in the solid minerals sector.

In his words: “Before, if you are a prospective foreign investor, you have to travel to Nigeria with your contingent to access required information. But with this launch today, anywhere you are in the world, with a click of a button, you can access all the information you require to make informed investment decisions about the mining sector.”

Speaking further, Dr. Alake emphasised that the support system will assist critical stakeholders in the mining sector and potential investors to garner requisite information, bringing them closer to the industry and providing answers to pertinent questions about mineral deposits and mining infrastructure amongst others.

Highlighting on-going efforts to sanitise the mining sector, the Minister revealed that the nefarious activities of illegal miners are being curbed by the recently unveiled mining marshals, whilst about 152 cooperatives have been formed by artisanal miners to legalise their operations, in line with his 7-point agenda.

In his remarks, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo lauded the transformative leadership that his solid minerals counterpart has brought to bear on the mining sector, noting that the launch of the NMDSS is a game-changer that will attract more foreign investments.

“Saudi Arabia today has non-oil industry contributing over 50 percent to her Gross Domestic Product (GDP). If Saudi Arabia can do it, Nigeria can do it, and the journey starts with the ministry of solid minerals. With a workaholic and visionary minister like Dr. Alake, working earnestly to attract the big players and also supporting local operators, the sky is the starting point. For us in the Ministry of Interior, we are there to support because a reformed mining industry is the pivot of the Renewed Hope agenda,” Hon. Olubunmi-Ojo said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, in her closing remarks, charged critical stakeholders in the mining sector and Nigerians at large to market the nation’s vast solid minerals potentials, stressing that reforms of the present administration are steadily repositioning the mining sector.

The Nigeria Mineral Resource Decision Support System (NMDSS) is a comprehensive software platform that serves as a one-stop shop for investors seeking credible and decisive information about Nigeria’s mineral resources, facilities and infrastructure.

The NMDSS portal can be accessed via: miningdecision.minesandsteel.gov.ng/nmrdss/.

Business

Media organisations to enjoy financing at single digit interest rates — Idris

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

NewsDirect

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through the Bank of Industry (BOI), to extend its single-digit interest-rate financing to media organisations in the country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated this in Abuja on Wednesday when he received members of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) on a courtesy visit to his office.

According to the Minister, the gesture is in keeping with the administration’s resolve to create an enabling business environment for the media to operate in Nigeria.

“Let me say that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation under my leadership, as part of our five pillars, will support all media platforms in this country, whether they are public or private.

“I can tell you that the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to extend financing to media organisations at single-digit interest rates. I think you need to take advantage of that,” he said.

He therefore urged the IBAN members to develop bankable proposals to access the financing facility being offered by the Federal Government.

The Minister also frowned at instances of willful violation of advertising industry payment standards, condemning the habit by some practitioners of failing to remit advertising payments to media organizations within the approved 90 days.

Idris said, henceforth, the Advertising Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (ARCON), would be mandated to ensure that all advertising revenues due to media organisations are released to them promptly.

The Minister advised the private broadcasters to key into the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative of the Federal Government to bring down the cost of their operations through cheaper access to energy.

Idris said with the commissioning of three gas projects by the President and other initiatives of his administration, Nigeria aims to attain sufficiency in gas processing for local consumption and export.

In response to the request from IBAN regarding the resumption of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) rollout, the Minister, who expressed deep concerns over the historically slow progress of the DSO initiative, stressed the need for a renewed and vigorous approach to ensure timely completion.

He conveyed that the President has instructed the ministry to expedite the DSO project by adopting successful models from other countries that have effectively transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of IBAN, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan complained of multifaceted challenges confronting the broadcasting industry in Nigeria, and called for urgent steps to revitalize the sector to stimulate innovation and empower indigenous media owners.

“The Nigerian broadcast industry, a cornerstone of the nation’s information and entertainment landscape, faces significant challenges hindering its ability to reach its full potential. There is the urgent need to take the initiative with a design to revitalise the industry, stimulate innovation, unlock the potential media economy and empower indigenous media entities,” he said.

He identified the high cost of energy, shortage of analog frequencies, delay in the payment of advertising revenues, and unrealistic audience measurement systems as some of the challenges bedeviling the broadcasting industry.