Flowerbud News

Category: Features

  • Group wants NAFDAC begin investigations into local claims for COVID-19 remedies

    Lagos, May 8, 2020 (NAN)  A non-governmental organisation, Movement for Fundamental Change, has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to begin  investigations into local claims  for the treatment of novel coronavirus.

    The Head of Policy Positions of the organisation, Chief Martin Onovo, made the call in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

    According to Onovo, COVID-19 has been treated easily by some people across the world, using home remedies.

    He said that Madagascar, Ghana and Senegal had all shown remarkable capacity to contain COVID-19 with local remedies.

    Onovo said that Nigeria should list such claims if found useful.

    “These claims include Pax Herbal’s CVD Plus, the Ooni of Ife’s remedies, Prof. Maurice Iwu’s product and  Ben Amodu’s drug.

    “It is for NAFDAC to confirm the safety of the remedies and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to test their effectiveness with volunteer COVID-19 patients,” he said.

    Onovo said that successful products from Nigeria would establish another source of foreign exchange ‘in this period of low crude oil prices’.

    Onovo urged the government to support Madagascar to obtain African and global acceptance for its COVID-19 remedy in line with the country’s foreign policy focus.

    He said that Madagascar had not recorded any COVID-19-related death, adding that the mortality rate in Ghana was only 0.6 per cent because the people were  using local remedies to fight the virus.

    Onovo said that COVID-19 was not death sentence and could easily be prevented and cured.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed NAFDAC to begin the procedure for listing of a new herbal formulation to fight against novel coronavirus.

    The directive  is contained in a circular entitled, “Formulation of A Phyto Medicine-Based Cough Mixture /Syrup For the Management of COVID-19 Patients”.

    It was issued by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi.

    It said that the formulation was the brainchild of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Department. (NAN)

  • COVID-19: NAFDAC committed to supporting treatment initiatives–DG

    COVID-19: NAFDAC committed to supporting treatment initiatives–DG

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is committed to supporting any intervention aimed at facilitating the treatment of the COVID-19.

    The Director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to Adeyeye, part of the efforts to advance herbal products development for the treatment of COVID-19 informed the setting up of the Nigerian Herbal Medicine Product Committee (HMPC).

    She said that the platform had brought together manufacturers, academics, researchers and relevant stakeholders by bridging the gap created between traditional medicine practitioners and drug manufacturers.

    “This collaboration brokered by the agency aims at translating research of herbs into products of commerce with proven safety and efficacy.

    “The committee has met three times since inception, on March 15, Sept. 6, 2019 and the most recent one being a virtual meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2020.

    “Call for expression of interest for the COVID-19 related medicines was made; several researchers and practitioners have responded and are being guided to submit such medicines to NAFDAC for expedited review.

    “The agency continues to encourage all stakeholders to present the products of their research findings and allow these remedies go through internationally recognised process of approval,” she said.

    The director general added that NAFDAC, as an agency with the mandate to regulate the conduct of clinical trials in the country, was committed to encouraging sponsors with appropriate guidance for effective intervention to treat or prevent COVID-19.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo Announces 80% Slash For NAFDAC Registration Fee

    The Federal Government has issued a set of palliatives to help MSMEs wade through the current economic fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, these palliatives reflect the Buhari administration’s determination to support MSMEs and the priority the Federal Government places on small businesses.
    The palliatives are:

    E-Registration of MSMEs/products at 80% discounted rate over a period of six months.

    Zero tariffs for the first 200 micro and small businesses to register on the E-platform.

    Waiver on administrative charges for overdue late renewal of expired licenses of micro/small businesses products for a period of 90 days.

     

  • NAFDAC seals 2 vegetable oil coys in Ilorin

     

    August 5, 2020

    NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

    By Fatima Mohammed
    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has closed two vegetable oil packaging retail outlets in Ilorin.

    NAFDAC classified the outlet as unregistered that has sold more than 2.2 million litres of what it called unverified vegetable oil to the public.

    Mrs Roselyn Ajayi, Kwara Coordinator of NAFDAC, said on Wednesday in Ilorin that the closure was preceded by a tip-off that led to the discovery of the outlets which are located at Adabata and Stadium Road, Ilorin.

    “We were tipped off by some concerned citizens and we investigated and found out that the individuals were engaged in packaging and selling vegetable oil whose sources are unverifiable.

    “Investigation revealed that one of the marketers acquired more than 2.2 million litres of unverified vegetable oil and selling it to the public; those involved were caught packaging and placing labels of unregistered brands on the product,” she said.

    The NAFDAC coordinator explained that the source of the vegetable oil could not be verified even though the labels suggested that they were manufactured in Malaysia.

    Ajayi said that those involved had been arrested, the facilities had been locked and the agency would take appropriate regulatory sanctions on individuals found guilty of violating the laws.

    Ajayi assured the public that efforts were continually on to ensure safety, quality and wholesomeness of processed foods through regular routine monitoring of production.

    She said that it had become imperative for the public to always ensure that any packaged foods and drugs they would buy should be with NAFDAC-approved label.

    The coordinator, however, observed that some individuals would go as far as faking NAFDAC registration numbers, noting that any product that “is registered by NAFDAC will also carry the registration number”.

    Ajayi noted that the perpetrators took the advantage of COVID-19 pandemic situation to engage in the unwholesome practice to produce and sell unregistered products in the state by thinking that the agency had reduced its routine and surveillance activities.

    “We were not able to go out for surveillance activities as we use to do. They took advantage of the fact the regulatory agency are not operating at full capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Their illegal activities became heightened and based on the tip-off and the magnitude that was described to us, I had to recall some of the officers who were not suppose to be on duty to join some of us on duty.

    “We also involved security operatives so that we can trace where these activities are being perpetrated and the culprit,” she said.

    She, however, said that NAFDAC would not close its eyes and allow such regrettable violations to sabotage the effort of safeguarding the health of the public.

  • NAFDAC PUBLIC ALERT: Ban of three Cosmetics Products by Malaysian Ministry of Health

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has been informed that the Malaysian Ministry of Health has banned the distribution of three cosmetic products namely Sifu Kunyit Day Cream, Sifu Kunyit Night Creamand JJ Skincare Glowhite Night Cream.

    The products were found to contain hydroquinone, tretinoin, betamethasone valerate and mercury which can cause change to skin pigmentation, damage to the kidney and increase the risk of skin cancer.

    Sifu Kunyit Night Cream contains mercury and betamethasone 17-valerate, while Sifu Kunyit Day Cream contains hydroquinone, tretinoin and betamethasone 17-valerate. Meanwhile, JJ Skincare Glowhite Night Cream contains hydroquinone.

    Betamethasone valerate can cause the skin to be thinner and prone to irritation, acne, changes in skin pigmentation and increase the risk of being absorbed into the blood circulation system which can have harmful effects.

    Hydroquinone causes redness of the skin, discomfort, unwanted skin changes, the skin becomes hypersensitive, can prevent pigmentation (depigmentation) which reduces skin protection against harmful UV rays and may increase the risk of skin cancer.

    The use of tretinoin without the supervision of health professionals can cause the skin to be reddish, uncomfortable, painful, peeling and hypersensitive to sunlight.

    Mercury is prohibited in cosmetics products because it can be harmful to health and can be absorbed into the body and causes damage to the kidneys and nervous system, as well as disrupt the brain development of young or unborn children. Mercury can also cause rashes, irritation and other changes to the skin.

    Product Image

    NAFDAC implores importers, distributors and retailers to immediately stop the importation, distribution and sale of the affected cosmetic products.

    Any members of the public in possession of the affected cosmetic products are implored to submit them to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these product to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks), via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng

    NAFDAC……………Safeguarding the health of the Nation!!!

    Signed Management

  • NAFDAC warns public against apple, blackcurrant juice

    By Aderogba George
    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians to stop the consumption of an organic apple and black currant originating from Australia.

    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the products had been certified harmful for human consumption.

    “The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has warned against the consumption of Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice originating from Australia.

    “This was due to unacceptable level of patulin (a mycotoxin) which had exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice,” she said.

    Adeyeye pointed out that the level of patulin content in the affected fruit juice can induce liver, spleen and kidney damage.

    She added that the toxic level would affect immune system and causes nausea, gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting.

    She said that the name of the is Pure Tassie, an organic apple and blackcurrant juice from Australia.

    The D-G implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to immediately stop the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the affected fruit juice.

    She urged members of the public in possession of the affected fruit juice to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    She also called on healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office through NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks).

    Adeyeye said the agency should be reached through pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

  • I inherited N3.2 bn debt , says NAFDAC D-G

    By Lucy Osuizigbo- Okechukwu

    Awka, Aug.25, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the  National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said on Tuesday that she inherited a debt of N3.2 billion when she assumed office in November 2017.

    Adeyeye speaking  at  an online news conference  to highlight the activities of the agency, said that, however, the debt had been settled.

    “I am  happy to inform you that we have been able to pay our debts and we are also training our 2,200 members of  staff to enhance competence , capability as well as productivity.”

    According to her, the sum of N7 billion was generated in 2017; while N2.5 billion and N3.1 billion were generated from the agency’s IGR windows in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

    She also said that the agency was in dire need of an overhaul to achieve its mandate.

    “About 80 per cent of the equipment in the agency ‘s laboratories  are not functioning, directors have no laptops to work with, incessant industrial actions and lack of utility vehicles  are  the many problems facing the agency.

    “When I resumed office, it was like being thrown into an ocean of problems, so, I started digging into why the agency got into such debt and how to get out of it.

    “For 30 years as a professor, my life has been in the laboratory.

    “I was shocked when I saw that 80 per cent of the equipment in the NAFDAC laboratories were not functioning. And everything the agency does requires laboratory tests – from water to drugs, food products, chemicals and others .

    “We decided to review and overhaul our operations by adopting quality management system which enables us to upgrade the ICT system to ensure online documentation, computerised transactions, e-registration and e-certification of food and drug products,’’ she said.

    “I also met about 6,000 backlog of applications for approval of different products. We also adopted ‘Customer First’ strategy and gave a mandate for the applications to be cleared within two months and it was done.

    “Time of approval used to take months but when I came in, the duration for the approval was reduced to 90 days for food products and 120 days for drugs.

    “It is very expensive to equip a laboratory as it costs between N270 million and N350 million for one piece of equipment in the laboratory. So,we started to save for the purchase of equipment while we pay off our debt gradually.

    “We have seven laboratories across the country and we have bought eight basic equipment, it is not enough because the goal is to have 20 of such equipment, “she said.

    Adeyeye said that  the quality management system and customer first strategy adopted had helped to sanitise the agency’s budget and increased its internally generated revenue.

    The NAFDAC’s D-G also said that the agency decentralised its operations across the country by establishing 23 directorates for faster and effective service delivery.

    According to her, the agency resumed its operations at the nation’s ports and borders in May 2018 to prevent and reduce the influx of substandard and counterfeit products entering the country.

    Adeyeye said that the agency was working hard to attain the level-3 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmark System that would enable vaccines to be produced in the country.(NAN)

  • COVID-19: 40 herbal medicines currently undergoing review -NAFDAC DG

    By Lucy Osuizigbo- Okechukwu

    Awka, Aug.25, 2020 (NAN) The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Tuesday said it received about 40 applications for the approval of herbal formulations  for the treatment of COVID-19 from researchers in the country.

    Speaking during an online news conference, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC, said that the 40 herbal formulations were currently undergoing review to ensure their safety for use.

    According to her, if not well researched, herbal medicine could kill fast.

    “In March 2019, we inaugurated the Nigerian Herbal Medicine Product Committee (HMPC) to bridge the gap often created between traditional medicine practitioners and researchers.

    “COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity and  we have been encouraging traditional medicine practitioner to submit their herbal formulations for evaluation.

    “We also developed guidelines on how to register herbal medicine online and the labelling of the product.

    “Prof. Maurice Iwu’s  application for approval of a herbal medicine for management of COVID-19, is also part of the 40 applications we are reviewing for safety.

    “We use animal for safety test to ensure the formulation will not kill anybody, “she said

    Adeyeye said that there was no cure for COVID-19 yet and warned that any claim of cure must be subjected to clinical trials following an approved clinical trial protocol.

    “Until a clinical trial is done in a scientific manner, no herbal medicine manufacturer can claim cure or effectiveness to treat COVID-19 associated symptoms.

    “I believe that Nigeria’s herbal medicines may be able to cure COVID-19.

    “They have a lot of potential and it is time to translate research of herbs into products of proven safety and efficacy, for the benefit of our people, ” Adeyeye said.(NAN)
    LCO/BOLA/ERO

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  • NAFDAC warns against using Covifor Remidesivir Injection

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja, Sept. 4, 2020 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the general public not to use ‘Covifor Remidesivir 100 mg Injection for treatment of any illness.

    The warning was contained in a statement signed by the agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

    She said that the label on the vaccine indicates that it was “Not for distribution in US, Canada or EU”, thus creating suspicion about its efficacy and could also have negative effect on the body system.

    “The product is suspicious, and it could possibly be a falsified product, the general public is hereby warned to desist from the use of such product,” Adeyeye stressed. (NAN)