The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines in Nigeria, posing a significant threat to public health.
“We are maximising efforts to curb the menace of substandard and falsified medicines in the state,” warned Bala Mshelia, Director of NAFDAC’s North West Zone, at a community sensitisation workshop in Kaduna on Friday.
Mshelia identified specific targeted medicines, including Fansidar 25/500mg and Combiart 20/120mg (antimalarials), OHEAL Ampicillin, and Cloxacillin Capsules (antibiotics), as well as other medications for hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases.
“The fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation. It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public,” Mshelia emphasised.
He urged everyone to join in the fight to ensure all drugs are safe for use.
“As we proceed with this workshop, let us remember that the fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation.
“It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public. Together, we can create a future where every medicine on the shelf is safe, genuine, and beneficial to the health of our communities,” he said.
Sunday Ukoh, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, pledged support, stating, “We must be on the lookout to do the needful.”
Abosede Garba, Vice Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists, added, “As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists bear a crucial responsibility in combating this challenge. We must be vigilant, proactive, and steadfast in promoting safe medication use.”
NAFDAC has intensified surveillance activities, regulation, education, and awareness campaigns to safeguard public health.