Flowerbud News

Category: Health and Environment

  • NAFDAC: New acting D-G to convene meeting with directors

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja: The acting Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Monica Eimunjeze, will on Tuesday convene a meeting with directors of the agency.

    The Director of Public Affairs of the agency, Dr Jimoh Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Saturday that the meeting is for the D-G to disclose her areas of focus.

    He said that the NAFDAC D-G would also seek the support of the directors to excel in her new task of piloting the agency’s affairs.

    Abubakar said “the new D-G wants to hit the ground running, this is why she has decided to convene a meeting with directors of the agency on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

    nafdacc
    nafdacc

    “She wants to touch on what will be the focus of her administration, using the SWOT analysis and move in quick succession.

    “What I mean by SWOT analysis is for her to look at the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the agency.

    “The meeting will also be looking at gap analysis, this is the process companies use to compare their current performance with their desired, expected performance and look whether we are meeting our expectations.

    “All these will be geared toward improving the system.”

    The appointment of Eimunjeze followed the expiry of the tenure of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on Nov. 2.(NAN(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns stakeholders against sharp practices

    By Yetunde Fatungase

    Abeokuta:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned stakeholders to avoid practices capable of undermining the functions of the agency.

    The Director, Southwest Zone, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, gave the warning at a recent stakeholders’ engagement in Abeokuta.

    She said the engagement had become imperative to keep stakeholders abreast of evolving technological advancements.

    According to her, the agency recognises that continuous engagement and collaborations would foster better understanding of regulatory requirements between “the regulated and the regulator’’.

    She said that any manufacturer or business owner who flouted any compliance directive would be sanctioned.

    “There’s no doubt that with advancement in technology, increase in knowledge, research outcomes, climate change effect and the AfCFTA agreement, the regulatory space has been evolving.

    “This is why the requirements have also been changing to match with the trend in the regulatory space.

    “Those in the drug manufacturing sector have witnessed a lot of changes recently and all efforts are aimed at repositioning the facilities for global competition,’’ she said.

    She urged stakeholders to use their smart phones for registration and documentation on the agency’s website, to avoid third party influence of being extorted or duped.

    Ajayi said that all stakeholders should see themselves as whistleblowers as the agency could not be everywhere at once.

    She said the agency had strengthened all its processes by providing monitoring tools for more routine and surveillance activities.

    In his remarks, the Coordinator of NAFDAC in Ogun, Mr Daniel Danjuma, thanked the stakeholders for deeming it fit to attend the workshop.

    He noted that the workshop was not to witch-hunt them, rather to help them advance in their businesses with global best practices.

    In their separate responses, the stakeholders urged the agency to create more offices in the state.

    NAN reports that some of the stakeholders include water producers, patent medicine store operators, master bakers, supermarket owners and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) groups. (NAN)/ Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC integrates its Products Monitoring System (NAPAMS) with FIRS Tax Identification Number Database

     

    by Biola Lawal

    Abuja: (Flowerbudnews): The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully integrated its Automated Products Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) into the tax database of the Federal Inland Revenue Service. (FIRS).

    A NAFDAC statement made available to Flowerbudnews on Friday in Abuja disclosed that NAPAMS was now integrated with FIRS Tax Identification Number Database”.

    NAFDAC said that the integration ”is to ensure validation and authentication of Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) submitted by clients on the NAPAMS portal”.

    The Agency advised its clients to visit NAPAMS portal to confirm the status of their TIN, adding. ”where it is not validated, clients are required to ensure registration of their TIN with the FIRS before 1st January 2023”.

    NAFDAC warned that clients without validated TIN would not be granted login access into NAPAMS from 1st January 2023: (Flowerbudnews)

    The Full NAFDAC statement below:

    NOTICE TO NAFDAC CLIENTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) VALIDATION ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE ON THE NAFDAC AUTOMATED PRODUCTS ADMINISTRATION AND MONITORING SYSTEM (NAPAMS) FOR REGULATED PRODUCTS REGISTRATION

    Dear Esteemed Client,

    This is to inform you that NAFDAC has integrated her NAFDAC Automated Products Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Tax Identification Number Database.

    This is to ensure validation and authentication of Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) submitted by clients on the NAPAMS portal.

    As a result, all clients are advised to visit the NAPAMS portal to confirm the status of their TIN. Where it is not validated, clients are required to ensure registration of their TIN with the FIRS before 1st January 2023.

    Please note that clients without validated TIN would not be granted login access into NAPAMS from 1st January 2023.

    Please take note for compliance.

    Thank you
    Signed Management
    NAFDAC…Customer focused; Agency minded

  • Creams: NAFDAC tasks media officers on Bleaching dissemination of its effect-

    Creams: NAFDAC tasks media officers on Bleaching dissemination of its effect-

    By Aderogba George

    Abuja:.  The National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control (NAFDAC) has tasked media officers to assist in disseminating to Nigerians the dangers associated with bleaching creams.

    The acting Director-General of the agency, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, made the plea at the flag-off of a nationwide media sensitisation workshop on the dangers of bleaching creams and regulatory controls.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was basically organised for journalists covering the health sector.

    The acting D-G cautioned Nigerians saying that there were so many bleaching creams in the market that are not regulated by the agency, and so, could cause harm to the body.

    “There are some of the bleaching creamsthat have also gone through the regulatory process on the list of licence items that are available in the record of the agency.

    “There are those who are clandenstally in the market in which the agency is yet to effect the regulatory control, and that Nigerians must be careful about those creams.

    “We see dangers inherent in using those creams products that are not in our regulatory process.

    “So, we are collaborating with health journalists to help us increase awareness on the products that have not gone through the regulatory process on the impact these could have on their health.

    “When you use a product that has chemicals that could affect the body in many ways or systemically cause reaction on the skin and could cause affection on the organ, there are many consequences such as kidney failure, liver damage from an accumulation of toxic chemicals within the system.

    “So, we want people to be aware of possibilities and try to modify their behavior.”

    According to her, though people have the right to make choices, they need to make informed choices that will guide and not the one that will hurt them.

    Eimunjeze stated that there was need for reasonable Nigerians, particularly social scientists, to examine and look at the reasons why people or why some men go for light complexioned women.

    According to her, this notion comes along with the way people perceive themselves to make them more “receivable or acceptable” in the society.

    She stated that the examination was necessary in order to make the peole who bleach to re-orientate themselves to the realities of life.

    She disclosed that the bleaching problem was not peculiar to Nigeria alone, but a global issue that needed to be discussed.

    She condemned the idea of bleaching totally.

    However, she said there were approved creams formulated to suit with one’s peculiar complexion and that this was more acceptable than bleaching the body.

    Eimunjeze stated that a lot of creams are produced that many don’t know the formulation knowledge in which the creams were made, adding that such creams are toxic to the body.

    She vowed that the agency would not allow that to continue to happen, saying that NAFDAC had the clear knowledge of formulation of those under the agency’s regulation.

    The D-G also talked about organic products which are perceived as natural, saying that not all organic products were good for the body they were not under regulation.

    She called on people to begin to make choices that would be more favourable to them. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)/Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns bakers using potassium bromate, arrests offenders

    NAFDAC warns bakers using potassium bromate, arrests offenders

     

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned bakers who use potassium bromate as improvers, saying it is dangerous to health.

     

    According to it, as part of its efforts to curb the menace of importation, sales and distribution of counterfeit/fake regulated products and ensuring that only wholesome, safe, quality and efficacious products are imported, manufactured, distributed, sold and used by the Nigerians, it has stepped up efforts to raid defaulters.

     

    The Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday explained that potassium bromate is a banned flour improver and a known cancer-causing agent.

     

    According to her, potassium bromate has been found to cause kidney failure among other ailments.

     

    “Potassium bromate, popularly known as tablets in the black economy, is always attractive to merchants of death who want to make outrageous profit at the expense of citizens’ wellbeing.

     

    “Bakers use potassium bromate because it helps to improve the texture of bread as well as increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.

     

    “NAFDAC wishes to state that there are recommended healthy flour improvers approved by the Agency.’’

     

    She disclosed that reiterating its resolve to reprimand offenders, operatives of NAFDAC raided and arrested suspects in connection with various fraudulent activities.

     

    “A warehouse containing potassium bromate tablets and unregistered imported EDC – 2000 BREAD IMPROVER was raided by NAFDAC operatives on Dec. 7, 2022.

     

    “ NAFDAC officers raided the warehouse located in Apongbon area of Lagos Island in Lagos where they found 115 cartons of potassium bromate tablets.

     

    “The tablets have a street value of twenty eight million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N28,750,000:00).

     

    “The seized tablets could be used with three hundred thousand (300,000) bags of 50kg flour to produce about thirty (30) million family-sized loaves of bread bread.

     

    “Also found in the warehouse were counterfeit EDC Bread Improver, packed in sachets with a fake NAFDAC registration number 01-4242, worth three hundred thousand naira (N300,000:00).

     

    “One Rapoluchukwu Joseph was arrested as the importer during the operation.’’

     

    She explained that apart from improving the texture of a loaf, potassium bromate also increases its volume and it is relatively cheap.

     

    Ejimunjeze said that other counterfeit products found in the warehouse included 400 cartons of counterfeit super delicious cooking margarine with fake NAFDAC registration number:- (a1-2508) and Manufactured date:- 25/01/2022, Expiry date:- 25/01/2024 with various batch numbers.

     

    She further disclosed that the NAFDAC had since Sept. 9, 2022, commenced an investigation which led its operatives to a long span of operations at states including Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos States.

     

    “After rigorous and painstaking efforts, the Agency’s operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product.

     

    “At the point of his arrest, the suspect upon sighting the operatives completely destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken into custody.

     

    “He confirmed that he actually imported four hundred (400) cartons of the product with the above details from Dubai through groupage and cleared at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.

     

    “He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing Agent, whose name he did not yet disclose He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.

     

    “Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.”

    2508) and Manufactured date:- 25/01/2022, Expiry date:- 25/01/2024 with various batch numbers.

     

    She further disclosed that the NAFDAC had since Sept. 9, 2022, commenced an investigation which led its operatives to a long span of operations at states including Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Abia and Lagos States.

     

    “After rigorous and painstaking efforts, the Agency’s operatives traced and arrested one Owerekwe Obinna Michael ‘male’ 46 years of 12 Boundry Street, Aba, Abia State as the importer of the counterfeit product.

     

    “At the point of his arrest, the suspect upon sighting the operatives completely destroyed his mobile phone so that the evidence will not be traced to him. He also fought the operatives but was instantly overpowered, arrested and taken into custody.

     

    “He confirmed that he actually imported four hundred (400) cartons of the product with the above details from Dubai through groupage and cleared at Onne Port, Port Harcourt.

     

    “He claimed that the shipment was delivered to him by a clearing Agent, whose name he did not yet disclose He also admitted to distributing the product to markets across the country.

     

    “Preliminary examination of the product showed that the actual manufacturer’s name was not written, but produced for a company in Indonesia.”

     

    Ejimunjeze enjoined Nigerians to watch out for these injurious products anywhere in the country and report same or any suspected fake/counterfeit or unwholesome product to any nearest NAFDAC Office.(NAN

  • NAFDAC confiscates counterfeit antiseptics products, nabs three suspects in Onitsha

     

    By Carol V. Utulu

    Asaba:  The Taskforce on Counterfeit of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has confiscated hundreds of counterfeit liquid antiseptics and bleaching agents in a raid in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    Dr. Christiana Esenwah, the Deputy Director, NAFDAC Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Asaba that officials of the taskforce also nabbed three suspects during the raids.

    “These products you are seeing here are counterfeits. These three suspects were arrested with the products in Ochanja and Relief markets in Onitsha on Dec. 14, 2022.

    “The raid followed a petition from the makers of the original products.

    “The brand owners sent a petition to NAFDAC that their products are being counterfeited in the markets so we moved in and got these three suspects with the products.

    “The exhibits recovered from them include over five cartoons filled with the counterfeit products and the suspects are here with us.

    “The suspects are undergoing interrogation and after that, they will be prosecuted,” she said.

    One of the suspects, who gave his name simply as Emma, said he regretted going into the illicit business.

    He said he was compelled to venture into the business in order to take care of his father who is very sick and bedridden.

    “I knew what I was doing was wrong but I didn’t have an option. I learnt a trade but after my service year, I didn’t have anyone to help me establish.

    “When I returned home, I met my father down with sickness, with no help anywhere. So I approached one of my friends who taught me how to produce these products.

    “I have only been in the business for about three months now. I need help to take care of my father’s medical bills,” Emma said.

    However, the other two suspects told NAFDAC officials that they were not the producers of the product, but only selling them in the market to make ends meet.

    One of them, who gave his name as Okey, aged 26, said he buys the products in the market and in turn, sells them off to buyers to make profit.

    “I don’t produce these products; I only sell to buyers in the market. I have been doing the business for a long time because I make profit from it,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC Warns Public Against Counterfeit COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja: (Flowerbudnews): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against use of counterfeited BTNX Incorporated’s COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits.

    NAFDAC Management said in a public notice obtained by Flowerbudnews that the product was confirmed by Canadian Authorities to have been produced without licence.

    The public notice confirmed that The genuine manufacturer BTNX Inc. has confirmed that the devices were counterfeit.

    The notice listed the features of the fake Covid-19 test kits against the original products of BTNX.

    It disclosed that the counterfeited test kits were being sold online in 25-pack boxes by a distributor called Healthful Plus without the required licence.

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Adminis (NAFDAC) is notifying healthcare providers of a safety communication by Health Canada following the discovery of counterfeit BTNX Incorporated COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Ontario, Canada.

    The counterfeit test kits were sold online in 25-pack boxes by a distributor called Healthful Plus without the required licence.

    NAFDAC said in the notice entitled;
    Public Alert No. 048/2022 – Warning Against Counterfeit Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits, that the counterfeit kits were labelled as manufactured by “Health Advance Inc.” instead of BTNX Inc.;

    Below is the Full Alert:

    NAFDAC is notifying healthcare providers of a safety communication by Health Canada following the discovery of counterfeit BTNX Incorporated COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Ontario, Canada.

    The counterfeit test kits were sold online in 25-pack boxes by a distributor called Healthful Plus without the required licence.

    The packaging of the counterfeit kits resembles the authentic (licensed) BTNX Inc. products in colour and typeface and uses the BTNX Inc. device identifier “COV-19C25”, but also has several key differences.

    The counterfeit kits: are labelled as manufactured by “Health Advance Inc.” instead of BTNX Inc.; lists Health Advance as an “Official Canadian Distributor”; and includes the text “Health Canada Approved”. Claims of endorsement by government authorities, such as Health Canada, are not permitted.

    Genuine COVID-19 Antigen test helps detect certain proteins in the virus.

    Rapid antigen tests are designed to tell in a few minutes whether someone is infectious or not.

    It is recommended as a high performing test for individuals with symptoms, high-risk populations, and healthcare or casual workers.

    Counterfeit health products are imitations of authentic products. The safety and effectiveness of these counterfeit test kits have not been assessed.

    The genuine manufacturer BTNX Inc. has confirmed that the devices were counterfeit.

    The table below shows the difference between the counterfeit and authentic COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit;

    Image Counterfeit BTNX test kit (25-pack)Counterfeit BTNX test kit (25-pack)Image Authentic BTNX test kit (25-pack)Authentic BTNX test kit (25-pack)

    Counterfeit box (top)

    Health Advance name and phone number along with text “Official Canadian Distributor” and unauthorized text “Health Canada Approved” appear on box.

    Authentic box (top)

    Authentic boxes are sealed with a clear sticker with blue lettering that says “QC APPROVED”.

    Counterfeit box (side)

    Health Advance name and phone number appear on box.

    Authentic box (side)

    BTNX Inc. name, address and symbol appear on box.

     

    Counterfeit kits – three open boxes

    Each box has varying contents, including varying test cassettes and assay buffers.

    Authentic kit – open box

    Shown here: test cassettes, tube stand, assay buffer, swabs, procedure card and package insert.

    Note, assay buffer may come in bottles (shown here) or 25 single-use vials (not shown here).

    Not shown here: extraction tubes and nozzle filters

     

    Counterfeit kits – cassette pouch found in some kits

    Expiry date and lot number may not match the box. Pouches are not green.

     

    Authentic kit – box and cassette pouch (back)

    Lot number and expiry date on cassette pouch should match the lot number and expiry date on the box. Lot numbers start with the letter “I”.

    NAFDAC advice wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies and consumers to ensure that products are obtained from authentic and reliable sources.

    Increased vigilance is hereby encouraged within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale or use of the counterfeit COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits and to prevent the administration of the product to unsuspecting patient by healthcare providers.

    The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    Anybody in possession of the counterfeit product should immediately discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    Healthcare providers and consumers are encouraged to report any suspicion of counterfeit drug product to NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng, report adverse events experienced with the use of the counterfeit product to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download on android and IOS stores.(Flowerbudnews)

  • NAFDAC alerts Nigerians on existence of fake COVID-19 test kits

    By Aderogba George

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians about counterfeit Covid-19 Antigen rapid test kits in circulation.

    The notification is contained in a NAFDAC public alert released to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    The counterfeit BTNX Incorporated COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits was communicated to NAFDAC by Health Canada.

    NAFDAC quoted Health Canada as saying that the fake test kits were sold online in 25-pack boxes by a distributor called Healthful Plus who had not the required licence.

    NAFDAC said the packaging of the counterfeit kits resembles the authentic BTNX Inc. products in colour and typeface and uses the BTNX Incorporated.

    It said that the device identifier has “COV-19C25”, but also has several key differences, adding that it was labelled as manufactured by “Health Advance Inc.” instead of BTNX Inc.

    NAFDAC stated that on the packaging Health Advance was identified as the  “Official Canadian Distributor of the counterfeit products.

    It pointed out that the products had a claim of endorsement by government authorities, such as Health Canada.

    “Genuine COVID-19 Antigen test kit helps detect certain proteins in the virus. Rapid antigen tests are designed to tell in a few minutes whether someone is infected or not.

    “It is recommended as a high performing test for individuals with symptoms, high-risk populations and healthcare or casual workers.

    “Counterfeit health products are imitations of authentic products. The safety and effectiveness of these counterfeit test kits have not been assessed.

    “The genuine manufacturer BTNX Inc. has confirmed that the devices were counterfeit,” NAFDAC said.

    The agency advised wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies and consumers to ensure that their products are obtained from authentic and reliable sources.

    It also encouraged healthcare providers to Increase vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importation, distribution, sale or use of the counterfeit COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits.

    It advised healthcare providers to prevent the administration of the product to unsuspecting patients, adding that the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

    NAFDAC said that anybody in possession of the counterfeit product should immediately discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest agency office.

    Healthcare providers and consumers are encouraged to report suspected counterfeit health products to NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

    NAFDAC also advised the public to report adverse effects via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, and e-reporting platforms www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC seizes wines, spirits worth N8m from Apogbon market

    NAFDAC seizes wines, spirits worth N8m from Apogbon market

     

    By Augusta Uchediunor

    Lagos:   Enforcement Officers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) and its Federal Task Force (FTF) team have raided the popular Apongbon market in Lagos seizing drinks valued at eight million naira (N8,000,000).

    The operation was part of its efforts to eradicate fake, unwholesome, and counterfeit alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines and drinks from circulation.

    Anita Dabor, Head of Unit, NAFDAC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that many of the offending products were sold by merchants underneath the bridge.

    ?
    National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) at Apogbon market, Lagos. Confiscates fake, unwholesome, and counterfeit alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines and drinks from circulation. December 2022,

    “ They were mopped up and include very popular brands of wines and spirits.

    “During the mop-up operation, a transport vehicle containing an array of drinks including JAPATA (a herbal drink that failed laboratory tests) was found hidden in the vehicle.

    “The offending products were confiscated and evacuated.’’

    “Attempts to apprehend the supplier of the Japata in the market proved abortive.

    “The products mopped up from the market are valued at N8,000,000.’’

    “However, the investigation is ongoing,’’ she said.

    According to her, NAFDAC is fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and quality of foods and other regulated products offered for sale to the public.

    Consumers are hereby advised to be vigilant and exercise discretion when making purchases, especially during this festive season, and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office across the Federation. (NAN)www.nannews.ng (Flowerbudnews)