The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has urged the public and stakeholders to utilise its newly deployed apps to verify the genuity of products, especially medicines to curb the rampant cases of counterfeit and fake drugs.
Speaking during a two -day sensitization workshop for stakeholders on Wednesday in Kano, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said despite numerous efforts to combat sub-standard and fake medical products, the counterfeiters have assumed more sophisticated dimensions to advance their trade, hence the need to use technology and modern means to mitigate their activities.
Represented by the Director of Post Marketing Surveillance, Bitrus Fradden, Prof. Adeyeye said the workshop will sensitize stakeholders and provide them with hands-on training on the new technology – NAFDAC greenbook, to ensure both the regulator,band the regulated are on the same page in the fight.
According to her, the greenbook is an online resource for identifying a product’s source through it name or registration number to verify it authenticity.
The NAFDAC traceability regulations, 2024, she said provides a legal framework through which drugs and related products, are identified with a unique identifier created by the brand owner to enable visibility, and tracking of the product along the supply chain.
She also explained that the NAFDAC pediatric regulation, 2024 is a special regulation to address the special needs of children, in addition to what registration regulation has addressed.
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The director general, however, sought for the support of Nigerians by utilizing the initiatives in order to ensure the supply of quality, and safe medical products in the country.
North West Zonal Director of the agency, Mr. Dadi Nantim, highlighted that the zone, especially Kano State has been battling with issues of counterfeit products.
He said proper utilization of the new tools will help in reducing fake drugs circulation, and also ensure that any culprit found wanting is prosecuted.
Deputy Director, Post -Marketing Surveillance of the agency, Dr. Regina Garba, explained that all drugs produced or imported are expected to have been registered with NAFDAC, as such, the traceable features would enable stakeholders, and consumers to be able to scan the codes on products, using the technology for check for authenticity.
