Sunday, February 16, 2025

NAFDAC Urges Nigerians to Report Fake Drugs, Unsafe Food Products

Nigeria’s drug and food safety regulator, NAFDAC, has called on citizens to play a more active role in curbing counterfeit products. Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye emphasized that public intelligence is crucial for combating fake drugs and substandard food.

“We cannot be everywhere,” Adeyeye said during a forum hosted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “We need information about such products’ availability in communities. If you inform us, we’ll respond within one or two hours.”

The agency has set up multiple reporting channels for the public. Citizens can contact NAFDAC via its helpline (080-162-3322), email (sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng), or the Med-Safety app available on Android and iOS platforms. Reports can also be filed at the nearest NAFDAC office or through e-reporting platforms on the agency’s website.

READ MORE: African Future Leadership Magazine Limited Appoints Amb. Nikisha Daniel to Governing Board

Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC has shut down numerous companies violating its standards. “We’ve closed companies despite pressure from higher authorities,” she said. “Some remain shut until corrective measures are implemented, while a few have been permanently closed.”

The fight against counterfeit products has also seen a boost through technology. NAFDAC now uses GS1 tracking systems to trace substandard products and ensure compliance. Consumers can verify the authenticity of drugs by scanning barcodes to check manufacturing and expiration dates.

“We’ve digitized product leaflets. With a scanner, consumers can access detailed electronic information about the product,” Adeyeye explained. She urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, warning that products priced suspiciously low are likely substandard.

To increase public awareness, NAFDAC has partnered with media outlets like FRCN, NTA, and TVC. Adeyeye encouraged citizens to use available tools and technology to protect themselves and their communities from fake products.

“This is a shared responsibility,” she concluded. “Together, we can safeguard public health and ensure standards are upheld.”

Hot this week

NDLEA Tightens Grip on Drug Traffickers, Seizes Heroin and Other Illicit Substances Across Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified...

Ex-Lagos Speaker Obasa Sues Assembly Over Impeachment, Seeks Urgent Court Ruling

Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,...

NESG Urges Policy Support as Manufacturing Recovery Remains Weak in Early 2025

Nigeria's manufacturing sector remains on unstable footing despite signs...

AfDB Invests $3 Billion in Agro-Industrial Hubs to Transform Africa’s Agriculture

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is driving Africa’s agricultural...

Ghana Targets Payroll Corruption With Probe Into 81,000 ‘Ghost Names

Ghana’s government has launched an investigation into 81,000 suspected...

Dangote Group to Invest $400M in Ethiopia Cement Expansion Amid Market Growth

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is doubling down on...

Djibouti’s Youssouf Secures AU Commission Chair, Pledges Security and Unity

Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has emerged as...

Nigeria Sees 9,100 Childhood Cancer Cases Annually Amid Calls for Urgent Action

Nigeria records approximately 127,000 cancer cases annually, with children...

Nigeria’s Defence Chief Exposes Foreign Links to Boko Haram, Calls for Action

Chief of Defence Staff General CG Musa has indeed...

Ex-Lagos Speaker Obasa Sues Assembly Over Impeachment, Seeks Urgent Court Ruling

Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,...

Nigeria to Boost Lagos-Kaduna Freight Rail to Full Capacity by Q2 2025

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is ramping up freight...

Kenya’s Odinga, Djibouti’s Youssouf Lead Race for AU Commission Presidency

The race to lead the African Union (AU) Commission...

Related Articles

Popular Categories