Hard times await Nigerians who flaunt the laws as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has threatened severe sanctions over misleading claims in the advertisement of many regulated and unregulated products, including herbal medicines without relevant NAFDAC approval in place.
Speaking at a forum for stakeholders in the advertising sector, Paul Orhii, director general, NAFDAC, said that the time has come to address this advertising practice in the country which has given room for unethical practices and exploitation of unsuspecting Nigerians.
While noting that product registration was not the same with advertisement approval, Orhii, who was represented by Monica Eimunjeze, director, registration and regulatory affairs, NAFDAC, stated that there are rules and codes guiding the advertisement of regulated products which must be strictly applied to protect the unsuspecting public.
According to Eimunjeze, “NAFDAC is supportive of growing small businesses and entrepreneurs in Nigeria. However, it is until a product is approved by NAFDAC that an advert permit is granted to the firm. Issuance of advertisement permit has a validity period of two to five years.
“An analysis by NAFDAC shows that food products were readily advertised on online, electronic (radio and television) and print, followed by drug products. We also observed that herbal drugs were advertised once on this advertisement platforms. However, what you see is the illegal advertisement of herbal products that are not approved by the Agency.
“The Advertisement Verification Scheme recently launched reveal that the Agency monitored 593 adverts of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other regulated products from January to June 2013. In 2014, the number rose to 726.
“Particularly worrisome is the proliferation of advertisement of herbal products with misleading claims of treatment and cure of various ailments. This dangerous practice is a flagrant violation of the provisions of Food and Drugs Act CAP F32 LFN 2004 which criminalises this act.”
Garbi Kankarofi, registrar/chief executive officer, Advertisig Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), expressed dismay at the violation of the Codes of Practice which guide the production and exposure of advertisements and programmes relating to products.
While the mass media provides platform for exposure of advertisements and programmes, Kankarofi pointed out that across the globe, countries provide guidelines for the broadcast of health-related programmes and Nigeria cannot be an exception.
“Some practitioners indulge in unwholesome marketing communications which mislead the public and exploit the weakness of people who have health challenges. The council has developed various frame works for relevant licensing procedures which would follow the approval of the Code.
“With the new code, APCON has introduced very strict procedures for practice. The council has government’s full support and backing to enforce compliance now that the first sets of certificates and licences are being issued. Government through its regulator is determined to protect what messages are developed and exposed to Nigerians through the advertising medium, by ensuring that those who work in the industry are qualified and operate under the right code,” Kankarofi added.
Alexander Chiejina
