Afrigather In latest occasions, the difficulty of faux medication has grow to be more and more prevalent in Nigeria, inflicting widespread concern amongst its residents. In a well timed response, the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) has launched an modern answer, NAFDAC’s Inexperienced Guide.
With a flood of faux merchandise starting from packaged meals to drugs, the decision for stringent measures to sort out this menace has been loud and clear. This text explores how this initiative is a game-changer within the battle in opposition to pretend medication.
The rising concern over pretend medication
A number of Nigerians took to varied platforms a couple of days in the past to voice their considerations in regards to the inflow of faux items available in the market. These counterfeit merchandise aren’t simply restricted to consumables like drinks and packaged meals, however alarmingly lengthen to important objects like drugs and toiletries. The state of affairs known as for fast motion, resulting in a public request for NAFDAC to intervene and curb the unfold of those pretend items.
NAFDAC’s proactive step: The Inexperienced Guide
Whereas it’s unclear whether or not the launch of the NAFDAC Inexperienced Guide is a direct response to the general public outcry or a coincidental improvement, its timing couldn’t be extra apt. The Inexperienced Guide is a complete database of registered and authorised medication accessible on the market and distribution in Nigeria. Beginning January 2024, this digital useful resource shall be accessible to everybody in Nigeria, offering a straightforward option to confirm the authenticity of medicines utilizing Android smartphones.
A database in opposition to pretend medication
The NAFDAC Inexperienced Guide is an intensive compilation, encompassing info on 6,432 registered pharmaceutical merchandise. It’s designed to simplify the method for most people to examine the authenticity of medicines on-line. This initiative is a big step in the direction of bettering shopper security and making certain transparency within the pharmaceutical trade.
The rising menace of counterfeit drugs
The Director Basic of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the growing concern of counterfeit medication, attributing it to the difficult financial setting. This example fosters the manufacturing and distribution of substandard merchandise. A 2016 report revealed a staggering 70% prevalence of faux drugs in Nigeria. Nonetheless, by 2022, NAFDAC reported a decline, with counterfeit drug charges between 13% and 15%.
NAFDAC’s enforcement and plans
NAFDAC’s enforcement directorate has been actively combating the difficulty, destroying 135 truckloads of voluntarily submitted pretend, counterfeit, and spurious merchandise, together with broken or expired ones, estimated at round N16 billion. Moreover, Adeyeye disclosed plans to section out the manufacturing and sale of alcohol in sachets by January 2024, additional emphasizing NAFDAC’s dedication to public well being and security.
In conclusion, the introduction of the NAFDAC Inexperienced Guide is a big milestone within the battle in opposition to pretend medication in Nigeria. This modern device not solely empowers shoppers to confirm the authenticity of their drugs but in addition demonstrates the company’s dedication to combating the counterfeit drug drawback. As we glance in the direction of a safer future, initiatives just like the Inexperienced Guide are very important in making certain the well being and well-being of the Nigerian populace.
