TheCable

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is planning to place a 10-year limit on registration of imports on pharmaceuticals to encourage local production of drugs.

Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC director general, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting tagged: “A Date with the Director- General, NAFDAC” on Friday in Lagos.

The NAFDAC boss said that the agency would increase its vigilance activities and spot checks to ensure consistent product quality.

“We have developed relevant guidelines and documents to enhance pharmaco-vigilance and post-marketing surveillance activities in the country,” she said.

“This has been evidenced by the series of alerts issued by the agency in the face of threats as well as the recall of some products in the interest of public health.”

Adeyeye said the agency is determined to reduce the incidence of substandard and falsified products as well as the smuggling and abuse of various products.

“We are doing so many things to address the issue of drug abuse by laying an embargo on the importation of codeine through inspections and surveillance,” the DG said.

“We are planning nationwide campaign on drug abuse, going to secondary schools to talk about the effect of drug abuse which is going to be a yearly campaign.”

Commenting on the agency’s plans, Okechukwu Akpa, chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), said: “We are happy with the 10 years limit on registration of imports because it will help us manufacture more drugs, boost and have more commitment to Nigeria’s economy.

“Many countries such as India, China and Malasia are into making their drugs and that is why they growing economically and their health system are good.

“We are over 180 million in Nigeria and we keep increasing, protecting our local drugs will help us to provide job opportunities for Nigerians and the wellbeing of people.”