The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged stakeholders in the healthcare space to support its laudable initiatives to combat substandard and fortified products
to ensure quality, safe, and efficacious medical products for Nigerians.
Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, Director General of the agency made the call at a two-day “Sensitization and Awareness Workshop on Greenbook, Traceability Product and Pediatric Policy” in Awka, Anambra state capital on Wednesday.
Adeyeye, represented by her Special Assistant, Mr Gbenga Fajemirokun, said the Agency is poised to use technologies and modern means to mitigate the activities of the counterfeiters.
“Therefore, the need for sensitization of stakeholders on these technologies is apt.
According to her, the workshop was aimed at providing information, sensitize stakeholders, and provide hands-on training on 3 things.
“The NAFDAC Greenbook, the Traceability Regulation 2024 and The Pediatric Regulation 2024. This will ensure that the regulator and the regulated are on the same page in combating SF medical products,” she said.
The DG said the NAFDAC Greenbook is an online resource for identifying a product’s source.
“Enter the product name, brand name, or registration number to search for information about its registration status. Verification of Authenticity:
“If the product is listed in the Greenbook, it signifies that it has been registered by NAFDAC and is considered authentic. Consumer Protection: The Greenbook serves as a tool to help consumers identify and avoid potentially fake or substandard products.
“The NAFDAC (PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS (TRACEABILITY)) REGULATIONS, 2024 provide a legal framework for Drugs and related product trade items manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria to be identified with a unique identifier created by the brand owner to enabled visibility and tracking of the product along the supply chain,” she added.
Adeyeye stated that Nigeria is the first in Africa to use this technology and the second leading country in the world to use it.
“We used COVID-19 vaccine distribution to pilot the project, and the outputs were very good. Within 24 hours, batches of substandard/defective vaccines distributed in the country were traced and recalled.
“The project is being implemented in phases, we have it implemented on commodities in public health like ATMs and Narcotic products. We shall get to other products with time. Please note that with this technology, stakeholders can detect and reject SF products’ entry into the supply chain.
“The NAFDAC Paediatric Regulation 2024 is a special Regulation to address the special needs of our children. The special needs of children are addressed in this regulation, in addition to the important issues that the Registration regulation has addressed.
