The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Seoul, South Korea.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU in South Korea, Director General (DG), of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, said the MoU was to enhance cooperation in the field of medical products, pharmaceuticals, including vaccines, medical devices and in vitro diagnostics.
She said the MoU was one of the agency efforts to rid the Nigeria’s market of substandard and falsified medicine is a continuous one. “This is borne out of the fact that lives are at stake as these violators seek to profit from their nefarious trade in illicit medicines. The Agency is aware that they will continue to try, but NAFDAC is determined and resolute to be ahead of them. To this end, we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those who chose to profit off our lives as a people. In reality, they pose existential threat to us and our loved ones”.
The Minster of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea Yu-Kyoung Oh, said South Korea was ready to work with Nigeria to ensure reeducation of drug abuse and other related issues in Nigeria.
In another development, Adeyeye, said on June 7, 2024, the agency arraigned three of such persons before the Federal High Court, Kano. They include Mr. Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwiludili, Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie and Giddyson Healthcare Limited on a five-count charge of manufacturing, sale, distribution of substandard and falsified medicines.
She said these syndicates are involved in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of several falsified medicine such as asian ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension for children with zero active ingredient among others.
She said for clarity, from the NAFDAC Kaduna Laboratory Services testing, there is no trace of medicine in the formulations. This puts the patient in danger of treatment failure and possible death.
Adeyeye noted the products were not registered by NAFDAC, the numbers on the products are fake, so is the manufacturer’s address on the label. “The illegal factory, located in Tafa town and Tafa local Government, Niger State has been sealed. Their illicit trade was uncovered following information and discrete investigation that led to their arrest”.
She said NAFDAC maintains zero tolerance position on substandard and falsified medicine. Also, crave the partnership of all well meaning Nigerians and lovers of humanity in this fight. “If you see something, please say something. Together, we can rid our society of the menace of substandard and falsified medicine”.
