The Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye has tasked on stakeholders engagement in combating substandard and falsified medical products in the country.
The DG made the disclosure during her opening remark at the two Days sensitization and Awareness workshop on the Greenbook Traceability project and pediatric policy in the North Central zone held on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said, ” Over the years, Nigeria like many other Low- and Middle-Income Countries-has faced a persistent challenge on the menace of Substandard and Falsified (SF) medical products, commonly referred to as counterfeit or fake medicines.
“These products are introduced by unscrupulous actors seeking profit at the expense of public health. This is one of the gravest threats to human life and dignity.
NAFDAC’s Commitment
“NAFDAC has consistently deployed multiple strategies to combat SF products. These include Consumer Safety Publications and public notices in newspapers The Shine Your Eyes program on NTA.
” Deployment of technologies such as MAS, Truscan, and Minilab. Health-focused programs on NTA, Channels, and TVC, tagged “NAFDAC & Your Health”. Active engagement on social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) via @NafdacAgency.Despite these efforts, counterfeiters have become more sophisticated.”
“Therefore, NAFDAC is leveraging modern technologies and innovative approaches to stay ahead as this workshop is designed to sensitize stakeholders and provide hands-on training on three critical initiatives.
“The NAFDAC Greenbook , pharmaceutical Products Traceability Regulations, 2024 The NAFDAC Pediatric. The NAFDAC Greenbook. An online resource for verifying the registration status of medical products.
“Enter the product name, brand name, or registration number to confirm authenticity. Consumer Protection: Empowers consumers to avoid fake or substandard products Pharmaceutical Products Traceability Regulations, 2024
“Provides a legal framework for tracking drugs and related products across the supply
chain using unique identifiers. Nigeria is the first in Africa and second globally to adopt this technology. During the COVID-19 vaccine rollout this system enabled rapid identification and recall of defective batches within 24 hours
“Implementation is phased, starting with public health commodities such as ATM
products, narcotic products, and now MNCH Commodities.Helps stakeholders detect and prevent SF products from entering the supply chain..The NAFDAC Pediatric Regulation, 2024
“Addresses the unique healthcare needs of children and to ensures pediatric medicines meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.”
Prof. Adeyeye appealed to stakeholders in the healthcare space to support these initiatives noting that together they can ensure that every medicine in Nigeria is safe, effective, and traceable, thereby safeguarding the health of
our people.
The Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council, Cmr. Jama Meda said this workshop—focusing on the Greenhouse and Traceability Project as well as the Paediatric Policy—comes at a most timely moment. As nurses and midwives, we are at the heart of health service delivery, and our understanding of traceability, environmental health, and child-focused policies directly impacts the quality of care we provide.
He stressed that the knowledge gained here will not only strengthen our professional capacity but also promote transparency, accountability, and better health outcomes for the communities we serve.
“I urge all participants to approach this workshop with open minds, to learn, share, and network. Let us collectively translate the insights from this gathering into meaningful action in our workplaces and communities. Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for our children and generations to come.”