The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has stepped up its operations against illegal pharmaceuticals.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the DG, said there is no politics in the enforcement. Her visit to Lagos on Saturday was to show the agency’s commitment to public health.
The operation coincided with the seizure of large quantities of unauthorised drugs at Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos.
Cocodamol and counterfeit GSK Ampiclox were among the consignments seized.
Officials also found banned, unregistered and expired products, some of which were controlled substances.
After inspecting the items, Adeyeye told journalists, “We’re saving lives. What NAFDAC is doing is what we are supposed to do. There’s no politics in this.”
Her statement is clear. NAFDAC is doing what it’s supposed to do.
NAFDAC’s actions are a perfect example of the measures needed to protect communities from counterfeit medicines.
A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) research shows counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose global health risk.
NAFDAC has deployed over 1,000 personnel to remove counterfeit, expired and unregistered medicines from circulation.
The agency has gone beyond Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State and Aba, Abia State.
For instance, Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market was recently shut down over illegal medicine sales. These tough enforcement measures are part of the global effort to combat fake medicines.
NAFDAC is being transparent and sticking to its mandate. NAFDAC is setting the pace for other agencies around the world. These operations are crucial as global statistics show up to 10% of medicines in some developing countries can be counterfeit, and endanger lives and healthcare systems.
NAFDAC is doing it right.