Category: Health and Environment

 

 

By Paul Ejime

It is another World Malaria Day (WMD) today, one year after the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended two candidate anti-malaria vaccines for the prevention of the mosquito-borne disease which afflicts more than 247 million people worldwide causing some 619,000 deaths.

Africa bears the highest burden of malaria attacks (more than 90% and loses more than USD$12 billion a year in unearned income), with pregnant women and children under age five as the most vulnerable groups.

Apart from billions of dollars lost to cocktails of treatment drugs, preventive measures and hospital admissions, malaria also costs the World millions of man-hours of labour and missed school attendance.

Unsurprisingly, Nigeria the most populous Black nation, has along with Ghana provisionally approved the use of R21/Matrix-M vaccine, with a 77% efficacy rate shown in initial trials and significantly higher antibody levels than the first vaccine – the RTS,S.

WHO member States instituted the WMD in 2007 to raise awareness, mobilize global action, and celebrate progress in the fight against the mosquito-borne disease.

The theme for 2024 is *Accelerating the fight against Malaria for a more equitable World.*

Malaria’s human and material devastations may not be as dramatic and headline-catching as the Russia-Ukraine or Israel-Hamas conflicts, but the war against Malaria matters because the disease kills more people annually than many other wars combined.

After avoidable losses due to the delay in the development of anti-malaria vaccines, governments and the international health community, especially the influential pharmaceutical companies owe the World a moral duty to fast-track the mass production and supply of anti-malaria vaccines for seamless accessibility and availability of the vaccines to needy populations worldwide.##

 

 

By Biola Lawal

Sokoto (Flowerbudnews): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Sokoto state has intensified enforcement operations resulting a raid and confiscation of counterfeited OZONE CRÈME RELAXER worth about N5 million naira.

NAFDAC Sokoto state coordinator, Mal. Garba Abubakar Adamu, who disclosed this in a report of the operation, said that enforcement was undertaking following complaints by N.N. Fems Industries Ltd, the manufacturer of the original OZONE CRÈME RELAXER.

(NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye)

Adamu said that the enforcement was undertaken by NAFDAC in conjunction with the men of the criminal investigation department of the Nigeria police in Sokoto.

He stated that the sellers have been sanctioned while the counterfeiter was traced to Kano where his counterfeiting equipment, samples of the counterfeited product, labels and raw materials were confiscated.

‘:The counterfeiter is still at large while   investigation and surveillance continues,’: the NAFDAC State Coordinator said.

He expressed appreciation of the Sokoto NAFDAC office  to the NPF CID Sokoto ”for their diligence and commitment in the investigation, as well as their collaborative efforts.”

(NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye)

”The seller of the counterfeited products in Sokoto, Mr. Maduabuchi Daniel was repentant and was sanctioned accordingly”, Mal Adamu said, adding:. ‘:Mr. Maduabuchi Daniel made a notarized undertaking to be vigilant and never to sell counterfeit or unregistered products.’:

”The seized items will now be destroyed accordingly,” he stated.

The Coordinator urged the general public to be vigilant and patronize only NAFDAC registered Products”.

He enjoined the public to also report  violations, such as selling expired products, damaged products or adulterated products to the nearest NAFDAC Office. (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

By Biola Lawal
(Flowerbudnews): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts for closer operational relationship with NDLEA to enhance the task of safeguarding public health.

NAFDAC Zonal Director, North West Zone, Mrs Josephine Dayilim made the practical move when she recently visited Commander, NDLEA, Kaduna State Command, C.N Samaila Dan Mallam and his management team.

Dayilim said that the visit was to explore areas of possible collaboration and synergy with NDLEA as sister Agency with NAFDAC working towards safeguarding the health of the nation and ensuring rational use of drugs.

She explained the mandate of NAFDAC and the giant strides the Agency was achieving under the able and dynamic leadership of its Director General, Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye.

Dayilim stressed that ”NAFDAC is the statutory Agency mandated to issue license for the Manufacturing, Importation, Distribution, Sale and Use of controlled drugs and Narcotic substances in the country, and that NAFDAC gives approval for these products to be used for medical and scientific purposes only.”

She disclosed that said Nigeria currently had six (6) Zonal Narcotic Stores under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Dayilim also explained the actions that led to the ban of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles, below 200ml, disclosing that it which was a Ministerial directive based on an MOU signed between the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers(AFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association Of Nigeria( DIBAN) Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC ) in December, 2018.

In the MOU, the stakeholders agreed to phase out the production of alcohol in sachets and bottles less than 200ml by 31st January, 2024.

”These drinks are in containers a child can easily conceal and the alcoholic content is 30% and above, whereas beer is 4-8%,” she explained.

Dayilim said that ”Nigeria was also one of the 193 Member States of WHO that reached a consensus on a global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by adopted resolution WHA63.13 at the Sixty-third session of the World Health Assembly, which was held in Geneva in 2010.

”All these were aimed at protecting the youth by making alcohol not easily accessible and reachable to them.”

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She noted that the ban was however suspended by the National Assembly, adding, ”but the Agency is not relenting in carrying out massive campaigns against alcohol abuse while awaiting further directive from the Minister of Health on the way forward.”

According to her, the negative medical effects of alcohol could include cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, transmission of diseases like HIV/AIDS, foetal abnormalities and social and societal problems e.g poor performance of students in schools and possible drop out, violence and physical accidents etc.

”The problems mentioned above can be checkmated if the availability of alcohol in easily accessible pack-sizes are regulated,” Dayilim said.

”The problems among the younger people is very prevalent because they can easily access the products, comfortably carry them around in their pockets and school bags.

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   ”They call it ‘quick-action’ because they feel they are paying less for more effects in terms of alcohol content by volume of the product,” the NAFDAC Zonal Director stated.

She also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health had banned the manufacture, importation and sales of cough syrups containing codeine after an investigation carried out by the BBC on its addiction epidemic.

”Therefore, the sales of such products, if found in any drugs sales or distribution outlets, constitute a violation which is sanctionable, ” she said .

Dayilim emphasised th ”serious need for collaboration between the Two Agencies especially in the area of intelligence gathering, in order to curb the menace of drug abuse in the State and country at large”.

During the interactive session, the Deputy Commander of NDLEA Kaduna State Command, expressed concerns over the rate of drug abuse amongst the youths in the state and also sought NAFDAC’s cooperation and collaboration for possible joint raids to address this menace holistically.

He said he was highly delighted to receive the Director and her team. (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned the public against use of Dex Luxury Bar Soap, (No 6 mystic flower).

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said in a public alert obtained by Flowerbudnews that the sale and use of the product had been banned in Europe.

She disclosed that the banned product had potential to harm human reproductive system, could also cause harm to the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitization.

Prof. Adeyeye said that ”the product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation as it is said to contain Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system causing harm to the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitization.’:

”As a result, a ban on the marketing of the product has been placed by some regulatory and public authorities, in the EU,” the NAFDAC Boss stressed.

Product details

The details of the product are as follows;

Product Name: Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower)

Product Brand: DEX

Country of Manufacture: Turkey

Model: 11.11.22

Barcode: 8694965531

Category: Cosmetics

Product Photo

Prof Adeyeye said further:

Although these products are not in the NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned product.

The product’s authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of adverse reactions, or substandard and falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the products to the nearest NAFDAC office,

or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
(Flowerbudnews)

 

By Biola Lawal
Flowerbudnews: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cracked down on drug hawkers in Apapa area of Lagos seizing Illicit drugs worth about N50 million naira.

The operation, which was conducted by NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate targeted raid on drug hawkers operating in the Apapa area and its surroundings.

A NAFDAC state obtained by Flowerbudnews said that the operation was part of the Agency’s ongoing efforts to combat the distribution and sale of unauthorised pharmaceuticals.

(NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye)

Numerous hawkers were apprehended during the operation, while a wide range of illicit drugs were confiscated.

The siezed drugs included aphrodisiacs, narcotic substances (including tramadol), antibiotics, and over-the-counter medications.

”The combined street value of the seized drugs amounts to approximately Fifty Million Naira (₦50,000,000.00),” the NAFDAC statement disclosed.

It said that the individuals arrested would be prosecuted accordingly, and the confiscated drugs were slated for destruction. (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

as NAFDAC DG calls for Holistic Approach to Fight Illicit Medical Device Imports to Boost Growth of Local industry

 

By Biola Lawal

Flowerbudnews: The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa has called for a total ban on the importation of medical Syringe into the country to encourage local production and help to grow the nation’s economy.

In similar vein, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stated the need for a holistic approach by all the relevant agencies of government to solve the problem of substandard and falsified medical devices coming into the country through the ports.

(L-R: Minister of State for Youth, and Sports Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Director-General of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Nkiruka Uzo-Anite, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Mrs Amina Mohammed, Chairman of Mikano International, the parent company of Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited, Mr. Mofid Karameh, and the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi, during an official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located within Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State…. on Thursday.)

The pronouncements were made on Thursday during an official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory at the Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State, a statement by Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant disclosed.

The delegation included the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Nkiruka Uzo-Anite, Minister of State for Youth, and Sports Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande and the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

Others were, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Mrs Amina Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi.

(L-R: The Director-General of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye and United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Mrs Amina Mohammed during an official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located within Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State…. on Thursday.)

The Health Minister reaffirmed the determination of the Federal Government to provide the necessary support to the local manufacturing sector to enhance its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product GDP.

Dr Alausa affirmed that that the restructuring of syringe and needle production in Nigeria aims to guarantee the availability of high-quality products manufactured by Nigerians in the market to generate lucrative employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The minister, however, implored NAFDAC to ensure that unbridled importation of Syringe does not hamper the development of the local industry through unhealthy competition.

“Don’t give them any more authorisation to import. We need to protect the local industry through the backward integration model aimed at enhancing the local capacity,’’ he said.

(L-R: Chairman of Mikano International, the parent company of Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited, Mr. Mofid Karameh, Director-General of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Nkiruka Uzo-Anite, and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa during an official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located within Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State…. on Thursday.)

The NAFDAC DG, Prof. Adeyeye, disclosed that the Agency had stopped granting import authorisation for Syringes toimporters, including the international partners.

According to her, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has also been directed to patronize the local manufacturers of syringes to provide employment opportunities to Nigerians through the expansion of operations of the Nigeria manufacturing companies.

She added that the National Primary Health Agency was given the last import order in December 2023 with the instruction that they should begin to source from the local manufacturers thereafter.

She further explained that NAFDAC had  halted syringe imports to promote locally made syringes. This suspension applies even to syringes previously imported by NAFDAC’s international partners.

The goal is to shift the focus towards supporting domestic syringe manufacturing.

”However, for the local manufacturers, we are doing hand-holding with our Syringe companies. Hand-holding, meaning we are working with them by correcting whatever we found wrong or inappropriate in their operations,

She added that this initiative has started yielding positive dividends as the World Health Organisation WHO recently requested for names of the three syringe manufacturing companies in Nigeria to do business with.

She disclosed that the names were supplied to WHO and they have been contacted for guidance toward prequalification and eventual access of the products for use.

Prof. Adeyeye however, advocated for a holistic approach to combatting the incidence of importation of Substandard Falsified medical devices into the country.

She disclosed that some medical devices still come into the country with the aid of compromised officials at the ports.

According to her, the government had already put high tariffs on the importation of syringes to discourage importation. She, nevertheless, expressed regret that the system in the ports negates that policy.

”That is the problem. It’s going to be a holistic government approach to tackle the problem. It’s not something that only NAFDAC, SON, or Customs can do. It must be all-embracing.

The NAFDAC boss however noted that the locally manufactured syringes may be a little costlier, she quickly added that once the local industry starts to have volume the price will come down.

She also urged the government to reduce the import tariff on critical raw materials and equipment used for local production, adding that they should be given zero tariffs for a limited time moratorium.

Prof Adeyeye said that NAFDAC has the power to create a ceiling on importation, adding that the three companies in Nigeria can produce syringes that will satisfy the local demand and still export

However, for the local manufacturers, we are doing hand-holding with our Syringe companies. Hand-holding, meaning we are working with them by correcting whatever we found wrong or inappropriate in their operations,

She added that this initiative has started yielding positive dividends as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently requested for names of the three syringe manufacturing companies in Nigeria to do business with.

She disclosed that the names were supplied to WHO and they have been contacted for guidance toward pre-qualification and eventual access of the products for use.

Prof. Adeyeye however, advocated for a holistic approach to combatting the incidence of importation of Substandard Falsified medical devices into the country. She disclosed that some medical devices still come into the country with the aid of compromised officials at the ports.

According to her, the government had already put high tariffs on the importation of syringes to discourage importation. She, nevertheless, expressed regret that the system in the ports negates that policy.

”That is the problem. It’s going to be a holistic government approach to tackle the problem. It’s not something that only NAFDAC, SON, or Customs can do. It must be all-embracing.

The NAFDAC boss however, noted that the locally manufactured syringes may be a little costlier, she quickly added that once the local industry starts to have volume the price will come down.

She also urged the government to reduce the import tariff on critical raw materials and equipment used for local production, adding that they should be given zero tariffs for a limited time moratorium.

Prof Adeyeye said that NAFDAC has the power to create a ceiling on importation, adding that the three companies in Nigeria can produce syringes that will satisfy the local demand and still export.

The Minister had also requested the NAFDAC DG to engage all the relevant agencies to achieve the desired government policy thrust as he reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to remove barriers impeding industrialization and manufacturing in Nigeria.

The chairman of Mikano International, the parent company of Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited,

Mr. Mofid Karameh told the visiting top government officials and UN Deputy Secretary General that his company is poised to revolutionize the landscape with its aim to restore Nigeria as the premier hub in Africa.

He said the company boasts of an internationally accredited factory with an annual production capacity of 1.8 billion syringes, employing cutting-edge E-beam sterilization technology. Founded in 2019, he said

Afrimedical has emerged as a prominent provider of medical solutions, delivering products such as 2ml, 3ml, 5ml & 10ml sterile hypodermic syringes, 0.5 ml auto-disable immunization syringes, face masks, and sanitizing tunnels.

Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited, a division of Mikano International Limited manufactures hypodermic syringes and other healthcare products, providing solutions to Africa’s health needs and saving lives. Tailored to protect medical institutions and professionals in Nigeria and throughout Africa from virus-related infections,

Mr. Karameh said these solutions showcase Afrimedical’s commitment to healthcare safety.The Managing Director of Afrimedical,

Mr. Akin Oyediran emphasized the company’s plans to manufacture high-quality syringes not only for Nigeria but also for some neighbouring countries. He added that the company uses 30% less plastic with high-quality medical-grade materials in its production.

He expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s support, noting that the initiative to prohibit syringe imports will diminish the prevalence of substandard products in the Nigerian market and establish a conducive environment for local manufacturers in the pharmaceutical sector to flourish. (Flowerbudnews)