NAFDAC launches upgraded App to combat fake medicines

By Precious Mark

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an improved Med Safety App to enable Nigerians to report suspected fake and substandard medicines, as well as adverse drug reactions, directly to the agency.

NAFDAC stated that the upgraded digital platform is designed to strengthen medicine safety surveillance by allowing healthcare professionals and members of the public to report suspicious medical products quickly and securely.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency noted that the app features a simplified reporting process, improved feedback mechanisms, and the ability for users to upload photographs and product information to aid investigations.

According to NAFDAC, reports received through the app will help the agency detect substandard and falsified (SF) medicines early, facilitate regulatory interventions, and remove unsafe products from circulation.

Users can report medical products that exhibit suspicious characteristics such as altered expiry dates, unusual packaging, missing or questionable NAFDAC registration numbers, poor product quality, unexpected treatment failure, or any other indicators suggesting that a product may be substandard or falsified.

In addition, users can report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR), including unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or any harmful responses experienced after using a medical product.

NAFDAC emphasised that fake and substandard medicines remain a major public health challenge, contributing to treatment failure, prolonged illness, antimicrobial resistance, and preventable deaths.

The agency urged healthcare professionals, medicine vendors, patients, and other members of the public to download and actively use the app to report suspicious medical products and adverse drug reactions.

The Med Safety App is available on Android and iOS devices, as well as web and desktop platforms.