NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NSA hails agencies for destroying 207 containers of illegal drugs
Defence/Security

NSA hails agencies for destroying 207 containers of illegal drugs

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their efforts in combating illegal drugs.

He lauded their successful seizure and destruction of 207 containers of illegal and unregistered drugs, highlighting it as a major achievement in protecting public health and safety.

Ribadu, speaking at the closing session of the Committee for the Destruction of Illegally Imported Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday in Abuja, expressed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation for the effective collaboration among the three agencies.

He lauded their efforts in preventing harmful drugs from reaching the public, particularly youth and vulnerable groups.

“These criminals don’t care about the damage they cause, but you have chosen to stand and fight for the country.

“We will not relent,” Ribadu said, stressing that Nigeria was undergoing a transformation and would no longer tolerate such threats.

He also highlighted his office’s collaboration with Customs in combating the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, which he linked to rising insecurity, including banditry and terrorism.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, noted that the scale of the seizure prompted the declaration of a state of emergency.

He emphasised the need for inter-agency cooperation for joint examination, investigation, and prosecution, adding that more containers had been discovered with ONSA’s guidance.

“We will remain vigilant to ensure controlled substances don’t fall into the wrong hands,” Adeniyi assured.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, thanked the NSA for supporting enforcement actions, including a major February raid with 1,350 security personnel.

She revealed that 137 truckloads of banned products were destroyed after raids in Idumota, Aba, and Onitsha.

NDLEA Secretary, Mr Shadrach Haruna, also lauded the NSA’s coordination, noting that the joint operation reduced the agency’s burden and supported legal destruction of the seized drugs.

He added that removing such illicit products had also improved the ease of doing business.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs
Health

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to circulation of counterfeit Aflotin drugs

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By Kemi Akintokun

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday alerted the public of the presence of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets circulating under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 in Nigeria.

The agency said on its twitter handle that the counterfeit product was discovered and reported to the Agency by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited from Mumbai, India,

According to NAFDAC, Ajanta Pharma observed that it manufactured the counterfeited product with batch number PA2128L in December 2018, with an expiry date of November 2020.

It said the batch was created for Combisunate 20/120 (Artemether 20mg/Lumefantrine 120mg Tablets), with a pack size of 30 x 24 tablets, but had now been counterfeited and was being sold as Aflotin 20/120mg with a pack size of 1 x 18 tablets.

It added that the overprinted matter did not match Ajanta’s overprinting style.

The agency said the company had confirmed that the Aflotin 20/120mg with Batch No: PA2128L available in the Nigerian market was a counterfeit, as determined by the investigation carried out and observations made on the product.

“The genuine Aflotin 20/120 tablet is a combination of Artemether/Lumefantrine (20mg/120mg) and is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite,” it said.

The regulatory agency emphasised that counterfeit medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which meant the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

“The use of counterfeit medicines often fail to treat diseases or conditions effectively, leading to serious health consequences, including death,” NAFDAC said.

It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been informed and directed to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit products found within their zones and states.

NAFDAC also advised distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

It advised that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

NAFDAC discontinues registration of Artemether/Lumefantrine
Health

NAFDAC discontinues registration of Artemether/Lumefantrine

419 total views today

Oral suspension

NAFDAC

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has discontinued the registration of Multi-Dose Anti-Malarial (Artemether/Lumefantrine) dry powder for oral suspension.

The announcement was made in a public alert No. 01/2025, released on the agency’s website Thursday.

According to the alert, the decision was made due to the instability of the reconstituted formulations, which can lead to a loss of efficacy over time.

It said the suspension applies to all locally manufactured and imported Multi-Dose Artemether/Lumefantrine dry powder for oral use.

NAFDAC will no longer accept new applications, renewals, or variations for this product.

According to the alert, stability studies have shown that once reconstituted, the Artemether/Lumefantrine oral suspension becomes unstable, which can result in a loss of efficacy.

The agency said this could lead to worsening health conditions, increased risks of complications, treatment delays, or even death.

It said NAFDAC had directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance activities and remove all locally manufactured and imported products from circulation.

The agency also advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to cease the importation, distribution, and sale of the product immediately.

It said healthcare professionals and consumers had been urged to report any suspected sale of these products, as well as any substandard or falsified medicines, to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The agency said the public could also report adverse events or side effects through the agency’s E-reporting platforms or via the Med-safety application available on Android and iOS.

NAFDAC added that this alert would be uploaded to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS). (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NAFDAC warns against use of calcium carbide for fruits ripening
Health

NAFDAC warns against use of calcium carbide for fruits ripening

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Ripening

By Habibu Harisu

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned fruit dealers and sellers against using calcium carbide on fruit ripening for commercial purposes.

The warning was made by the NAFDAC Coordinator in Sokoto state, Mr Abdulsalam Lawal, during a public awareness campaign at fruits market on Monday in Sokoto.

Lawal urged fruit dealers and sellers to stop the dangerous practice, which he noted was harmful, stressing that it posed serious risks to public health.

He warned that the use of calcium carbide could lead to severe health issues, including kidney damage, cancer, hypertension, and even terminal diseases.

” With Ramadan fasting approaching, a period of increased fruit consumption, using calcium carbide to hasten the fruits ripening is hazardous to our health,” Lawal stated.

He explained that only welders were permitted to use calcium carbide for tasks such as melting iron, and that NAFDAC would increase surveillance to ensure that it’s being used properly and not sold to fruit vendors.

He said fruits such as mango, banana, pawpaw, water melon and others were mostly ripened  with calcium carbide in the areas.

Alhaji Bello Danda, Chairman of the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Marketers and Distributors in Sokoto, advised fellow sellers to adopt hygienic methods at all times.

He warned that violators of this process would face penalties.

Danda demonstrated how mangoes, bananas, and watermelons could be ripened safely in commercial quantities without posing harm to consumers.

He noted that fruits market was widely patronised by people from all parts of Nigeria as well as neighbouring countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ongoing  awareness exercise commenced  from Feb. 18  and the  NAFDAC team has  held discussions with marketers at various locations on  related issues.(NAN)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

NAFDAC seals expired drugs warehouse in Aba
Health

NAFDAC seals expired drugs warehouse in Aba

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By Ijendu Iheaka

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered and sealed a warehouse of six flats containing expired foreign drugs and supplements in the outskirts of Aba.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the building is located in the Umummeje, Umuocheala in Osisioma LGA of Abia.

 

The South East Zonal Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Martins Iluyomade, confirmed the discovery after taking newsmen through the buildings packed full with expired products.

 

“This is a twin two story duplex with Boy’s Quarters filled with expired products to the brim and to a level I have never seen before since my days of working in NAFDAC.

 

“What we are seeing here are expired drugs that people have stocked here.

 

“I am seeing here that some of the expired products were purchased recently and in new cartons,” he said.

 

The coordinator said that some of the products have shipment markings on their packs showing that they came recently through Ikeja Airport in Lagos.

 

Iluyomade said the owners of the buildings established a system of either buying expired products or receiving expired products from importers to repackage and sell to the public.

 

“All the work we have been doing in Abia are important but this is massive.

 

“I don’t understand how somebody can be this evil against his own people.

 

“We are all Nigerians and we should not be this evil to ourselves,” Iluyomade said.

 

He said he was speechless as he was made to enter one room after the other all packed to the brim with expired products.

 

“I felt like crying seeing many anti-hypertensive medicines here because if somebody has hypertension and you went to buy foreign drugs for him and you are ‘buying death again’, a person doing that deserves a death sentence,” he said.

 

The coordinator said that the agency could not yet quantify the volume of foreign expensive expired medicines in the place because the building is filled and work is still ongoing.

 

Iluyomade said that the suspicion of revalidation of the expired products made more sense when they saw a machine used to revalidate expired products and heaps of unused labels.

 

NAN learnt from a security personnel in the team that three persons including the suspect’s wife had been arrested.

 

However, Iluyomade only confirmed the arrest of ‘few persons’ including the wife of the suspect.

 

The coordinator said that when the suspect, who he said is on the run, was told by his wife that she was in custody, the man said they should “continue to keep her”.

 

Iluyomade promised that the agency and its allies would arrest the suspect and make him face the law.

 

“Regarding the house, the law will take its course because everything here including the buildings have become a scene of crime.

 

“The buildings, the vehicles and everything we are seeing here has become part of the exhibits,” he said.

 

Iluyomade said that the NAFDAC DG was already moving for a review of its laws to make it as strong as the Chinese law on fake adulterated medicines.

 

“Our DG made that clarification some days ago that anybody caught with fake and substandard medicines should be given a death sentence,” he said.

 

The NAFDAC zonal coordinator thanked Gov. Alex Otti of Abia for supporting the mopping of unregistered and expired drugs and also appreciated the Police, the Army and DSS for their assistance in making the screening successful.

 

He said that the outing was a collaborative effort of all the agencies and expressed hope that they would continue to work in synergy for the safety of Nigerians.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

NAFDAC inaugurates consumer club in Niger schools
Health

NAFDAC inaugurates consumer club in Niger schools

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By Rita Iliya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated its Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in secondary schools in Niger.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, said the inauguration of the club was part of the agency’s catch-them-young initiative.

Adeyeye, who inaugurated the NCSC at Maryam Babangida Girls Science College in Minna on Wednesday, said it aimed at sensitising students on the dangers of illicit drugs.

Represented by Mr James Kigbu, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Niger, the director-general disclosed that 14.4 per cent or 14.3 million Nigerians were victims of drug abuse.

She described the situation as “alarming” and highlighted the need for collective action to address the issue.

“This epidemic of drug, including alcohol abuse was destroying families, the workforce, and destabilising our economy,” she said.

She noted that the catch-them-young initiative was designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.

She explained that the programme would focus on educating students about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of making informed decisions.

Adeyeye also emphasised the role of teachers in the fight against drug abuse, urging them to work with parents and guardians to identify and address behavioural problems in students.

The director-general further noted that NAFDAC’s mission was to mould a future generation empowered to be upright and to demand uprightness from others.

Adeyeye encouraged students to resist peer pressure, abstain from drug abuse, and seek professional help when needed.

She urged the students to develop hobbies, concentrate on their studies, and be content with what they have.

The director-general urged the students to leverage their membership of the NCSC to assist in information flow on NAFDAC regulatory activities and promote the fight against drug abuse.

In her remarks, Hajiya Amina Attahiru, Principal of the school, commended NAFDAC for its initiative to educate students on the dangers of illicit drugs.

Attahiru, represented by Mrs Florence Jacob, Vice Principal, urged the students to take the opportunity seriously and learn about the dangers of illicit drugs.

Maryam Masaga, Coordinator of the NCSC in Niger, thanked the school management for honouring and giving the agency the opportunity to carry out the sensitisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured presentations on the role of young people in the prevention of substance/drug abuse and the role of NAFDAC NCSC in safeguarding the health of the nation. (NAN)
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/ Isaac Ukpoju

Fighting counterfeit  products: NAFDAC calls for more intelligence reports
General News

Fighting counterfeit  products: NAFDAC calls for more intelligence reports

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By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for more intelligence reports about counterfeit products to tackle the problem.

 

 

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the call when she featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

 

 

Adeyeye, who said that the agency alone cannot fight counterfeit products, stressed the need for support from Nigerians, saying “we cannot be everywhere,  we need information about such products’ availability in communities.

 

 

“If you inform us about such products, we will be there within an hour or maximum two hours, we have done that several times, where we get intelligence.

 

 

“If found to have truly violated the law, we will shut the company immediately. We, therefore, call on the public to call our helpline on 080-162-3322 for any information.

 

 

“People can also get to us via Email:sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or report to the nearest NAFDAC office or through E-reporting platforms available on NAFDAC website -www.nafdac.gov.ng.

 

 

“Nigerians can also report via the Med-safety application available for download on Android and IOS stores or via Email on: pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.”

 

 

The NAFDAC boss said that through intelligence report, a lot had been done locally, adding that any company found short of the agency’s rules and regulations on standard would be shut.

 

 

She said that such company would remain shut until it finds corrective measures.

 

 

“We have shut many companies, and from the higher up, they call me but I say no, we cannot open them, but let them quickly do what we asked them to do, we are for business. We have, however, shut a few companies permanently.

 

 

“We are now higher up in terms of the use of technology to confirm substandard products, especially drugs, called GS 1 track and trace mechanism.”

 

 

She further explained that consumers could scan the barcode on drug packets to know where they are from, when it was manufactured, when it will expire.

 

 

“We have also digitised package leaflets, usually inside some products; with a scanner, you can download electronic information which patients or consumers can also read to know more about a product.”

 

 

She said that Nigerians could use their phones to get information about a product by scanning the barcode and that could also be done through the use of an App.

 

 

The NAFDAC boss added that a lot of awareness had been done in the media like the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and TVC about substandard goods.

 

 

“If a product is too cheap, it is very likely that it is not good,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN MD lauds NAFDAC for reducing counterfeit goods
Health

NAN MD lauds NAFDAC for reducing counterfeit goods

426 total views today

 

By Aderogba George

The Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, has lauded National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), for efforts toward reducing counterfeit goods in Nigeria.

 

He gave the commendation when Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the food and drug regulating agency, paid him a visit in Abuja on Tuesday.

 

Ali also commended Adeyeye’s giant strides toward tackling substandard products in the country, saying that the impact is being felt all over the country.

 

“We know what you are doing, especially in trying to rid our warehouses, stores and others of substandard goods.

 

“We know there are millions of dollars involved in this kind of business; that you are making efforts to fight counterfeit goods is good.

 

“This is more similar to the same thing we are fighting at the agency — fake news, when you are dealing with fake drugs and you see how it is being manufactured in the length and breadth of this country, it is mind-boggling.

 

“This is why you deserve all the support the media can give you, as well as the general support Nigerians can give you, what you are doing in NAFDAC is selfless service, it is a selfless task.

 

“You have to do it for the country, as an academician, you have set the bar, I think other regulators should emulate what you are doing.”

 

The managing director said that if NAFDAC staff risk their lives in safeguarding public health, it is a duty on other regulatory agencies to also rise up to their task.

 

He said NAN as a major content provider in terms of news would continue to project the image of NAFDAC provided it is still carrying out its responsibilities as enshrined in the law.

 

He said that NAN as a news agency could not afford to mislead the public with information, adding that the agency has zero tolerance for fake news and misinformation.

 

Earlier, the NAFDAC boss told NAN MD that sharp practices are widespread and majority of people would always want to beat the system.

 

She said that the country witnessed six decades of decadence up until in 2019 when NAFDAC realised that and decided to change the narrative to promote local manufacturing of goods.

 

She added that people would always want to beat the system to their own favour and to the detriment of others’ health.

 

“We deal with goods, drugs, chemicals, vaccines and others and almost everything that make life better on a daily basis and this is why we have to be on alert, it is a tough business, but we have to do the job.

 

“Just two or three months ago, our staff went on a routine patrol in Onisha and they were attacked, this is the type of hazards we face everyday as an agency.

 

“Our work is for the benefit of all Nigerians in terms of what we eat and drink, because you may never know when you need medicine, you must be sure that the water doesn’t put your stomach in trouble,” she stressed.

 

She said that NAFDAC would not keep mute to this system but will keep on working a step ahead of counterfeiters who are determined to promote illegalities to the detriment of the health of many Nigerians.(NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug
Health

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug

502 total views today

 

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the public of the sale of counterfeit combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablet in Nigeria.

 

The notification is in a public alert marked: No. 043/2024, issued on NAFDAC website, disclosing the date of manufacturing of the drug to be Feb. 2023 and June 2023.

 

It equally gave the expiring date of the drug as May 2026 and June 2026, as well as a Batch No: 7225119 with NAFDAC Reg No: A11-0299.

 

The agency equally gave the manufacturer name and address as Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.

 

NAFDAC, in the alert, said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

 

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid importation, distribution, sale, and usage of the counterfeit product.

 

It said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licenced suppliers and that products’ authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.

 

The alert also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

 

It urged Nigerians to call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or report any suspicion event via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

 

“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

 

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.n.

 

NAFDAC promised that the notice would be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Joe Idika

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