By Seun Ibiyemi
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has appointed Cotecna Inspection Services (CIS) as a key agent under its Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) scheme.
Cotecna’s appointment aims to tackle the growing problem of substandard and counterfeit medicines entering Nigeria.
This move follows NAFDAC’s recent seizure and destruction of over N1 trillion worth of banned, expired, and fake drugs across major drug markets in Idumota, Onitsha, and Aba.
Speaking at a hybrid technical meeting, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the agency is intensifying its regulatory efforts, with a particular focus on products from India and China, to ensure that only safe, high-quality medicines enter the country.
“Substandard and counterfeit medicines are a global threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This illegal trade leads to economic damage, drug resistance, and loss of lives,” Adeyeye explained.
She revealed that NAFDAC had recently reviewed the performance of its CRIA agents, suspending one, renewing contracts with two, and appointing Cotecna to strengthen oversight in India.
The CRIA scheme requires thorough physical inspections and laboratory testing of all NAFDAC-regulated products before they are shipped to Nigeria. CRIA agents ensure strict compliance with NAFDAC’s labelling, packaging, and safety standards.
Prof. Adeyeye also mentioned that CRIA agents in India and China have intercepted nearly 200 consignments over the past five years due to failed lab tests or non-compliance with required documentation.
To further enhance oversight, NAFDAC has introduced the Ports Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), designed to streamline verification processes and prevent the re-entry of rejected products via alternative routes.
“We are committed to tracking what happens to rejected shipments in India to ensure they do not return to Nigeria illegally,” she added.
Lena Sodergren, Vice President of Cotecna, praised the partnership, describing the CRIA scheme as the most comprehensive in Africa and a vital tool for tracing and blocking counterfeit products.
“This collaboration will significantly improve public health safety by ensuring only certified products enter Nigeria,” she said.
Dr. Olakunle Olaniran, Director of NAFDAC’s Ports Inspection Directorate, stressed that the partnership has substantially enhanced NAFDAC’s ability to detect and block counterfeit medicines at entry points.
“The CRIA scheme has been key in intercepting nearly 200 non-compliant products, and we remain fully committed to protecting Nigerians from substandard pharmaceuticals,” he affirmed.