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  • NAFDAC Intensifies Enforcement Operations in Kaduna

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified enforcement operations in Kaduna to tackle peddlers of unwholesome products and protect public health

    The Kaduna  State Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Nasiru Mato, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

    Flowerbudnews recalls that  four illegal facilities engaged in the production of unregistered yoghurt were recently closed in Kaduna by NAFDAC.

     

    Mato said that the agency sealed the facilities during its surveillance activities in the state for lapses hinging on: unsatisfactory good manufacturing practice, poor hygiene practice, and operating with expired licence.

     

    He said that the monitoring exercise was part of measures put in place by the agency in the state to ensure that only quality and wholesome products are produced, distributed, and sold to their consumers always.

     

    In the light of the foregoing, we want to seize this opportunity to strongly emphasise that strict adherence to operational standards must  be maintained and upheld by the producers of yoghurt and other water-based drinks for the safety of their consumers.

     

    “That will avert possible detrimental consequences on the health of the consumers.

     

    ” Routine and surveillance activities will continue to be intensified on the manufacturers of regulated products in every nook and cranny of Kaduna State by NAFDAC, ” Mato said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC Goes Tough, seals pharmaceutical store, sanctions 12 others in Sokoto

    By Habibu Harisu

    Sokoto:.  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off a pharmaceutical store in Sokoto.

    The State NAFDAC Coordinator, Malam Garba Adamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto that 12 other pharmaceutical stores were sanctioned for various alleged offences.

    Adamu said the sealed store was sanctioned for selling and displaying unregistered products, as well as poor storage of medicines and violating distribution regulations.

    He said that the other erring firms had some of their displayed drugs seized and also got warning letters for infractions which included non-compliance with storage and distribution regulations.

    He explained that no fewer than 55 pharmaceutical outlets were sensitized on the use of “Medical Safety Mobile Applications” for reporting adverse drug reactions.

    According to Adamu, the mobile app detects adverse effects in the aftermath of immunisation and keeps track of drugs of interest.

    He noted that NAFDAC collaborates with ACPN and other associated organisations on its continual innovative improvement such as the Med Safety Mobile App and other initiatives.

    “NAFDAC in Sokoto partners associations and institutions to ensure the enlightenment and distribution of posters and fliers on the Med Safety Mobile App.

    “We advise the public to always check for NAFDAC registration number and expiratory date on products during purchase and always report to NAFDAC any violations or reactions to any drug,”Adamu said.

    He appealed to all drugs distribution and sales outlets in the state to always abide by laws and regulations guiding their profession.

    He noted that the exercise was part of the routine operations of the agency aimed at safeguarding the quality and sanity of products being consumed by people.

    “We receive complaints daily on poor quality of some consumables stores and prevalence of related diseases, that is why we swung into action,” the coordinator said.

    Adamu assured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to safeguarding people`s lives and appealed for the cooperation of the public for the continuation of the exercise in the state.

    During the exercise,  the Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Sokoto State Chapter, Mr Ibrahim Binji, commented NAFDAC for taking steps to safeguard and sanitise the drugs distribution network in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)/Flowerbudnews

  • Foundation urges NAFDAC to waive some requirements for young entrepreneurs

    Foundation urges NAFDAC to waive some requirements for young entrepreneurs

     

    NAFDAC registration fees threat to young entrepreneurs in Enugu – Foundation

     

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu: An Enugu based group, Potters Wheel Foundation has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Agency (NAFDAC) to waive some requirements for new entrepreneurs in the country.

    Mr Godson Onuzulike, the President of the foundation stated this on Tuesday during the training of 310 youths and women on different skill acquisition in Enugu.

    Onuzulike said that huge registration fees and other requirements from NAFDAC posed a great challenge to young entrepreneurs in Enugu state.

    The foundation which is a non-governmental and community based humanitarian offers free vocational and entrepreneurship training for youths and women as an antidote to the unemployment, crime and insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.

    He said the registration fees and other requirements were beyond the reach of beginners who were new in their various businesses.

    He alleged that many entrepreneurs in the state were being harassed and their products seized while marketing it by the NAFDAC officials.

    “How can they demand for a four bedroom apartment for a beneficiary who is just starting with N37,000 registration fees?

    “At times, they chase these people in the market for non-certification of products they sell to the public.

    “This is a great challenge to them,’’ he said.

    The president disclosed that the foundation and NAFDAC were working towards creating a centre where any entrepreneur from the foundation could make his/her product under the supervision of NAFDAC.

    Onuzulike, therefore, appealed to governments, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support them with a waiver or registration fees.

    “The foundation has an open door for partnership with good spirited Nigerians and organisations to help us get millions of our youths and women into productive skill acquisition so as to enable us reduce unemployment, poverty, crime and insecurity,’’ he said.

    The president stated that different entrepreneurial skill and training the foundation offered  youths and women in the state could boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Enugu State.

    Onuzulike said the foundation had trained many youths and women across FCT, Ekiti and Enugu States on how to make cakes, meat pie, doughnut, samosa, spring roll, chin-chin, peanut, scotch egg, bread and cookies.

    Others, he said, were alcohol based hand sanitizers, antibacterial hand wash, car wash, liquid soap, body wash, tile wash, toilet wash, insecticide, rodenticide, carrot oil, coconut oil and many others.

    “The state with over 4 million people and one tablet soap which can serve for a week cost N100, it will be transacting N400 million a week and total of N1.2 billion a month.

    “With this simple analysis, the state will be transform in few years to come if the government and individuals in can key in into the programme.

    “The South-East produced only 30 per cent of these products while 70 per cent are produced from Lagos and Abuja and if we start producing 70 per cent here, many youths and women in the state will be empowered,’’ Onuzulike said.

    He added that in the next five years, cottage industries would be everywhere in the state where youths and women make the economy of Enugu state robust if the foundation were supported.

    “The result of this will skyrocket the GDP of the state and people will be coming from different states to buy things.

    “Nigeria youths are not lazy, they just need to be guided, spur into action and they would start making things to happen economically,’’ he noted.

    The president stressed that their products were not different from those from the multinational companies as they buy chemical from the same market.

    A participant, Ngozika Egwuatu described the programme as a very good initiative which would help them to become their own boss and independent.

    She thanked the convener for organising such programme to lift people out of idleness adding, “in the society where it is difficult to give and someone is giving idea free is just marvelous.’’

    Another beneficiary, Victoria Nnaji, said the training was an eye opener to her as she has learnt many things she did not know before. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC to begin surveillance of drug hawkers in Kaduna State hi

    NAFDAC to begin surveillance of drug hawkers in Kaduna State hi

    By Stella Kabruk
    Kaduna:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says preparations have been concluded to start massive surveillance on drug hawkers in Kaduna State.

    Kaduna State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Nasiru Mato disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.

    Mato said that drug hawking was of major concern to NAFDAC and the state.

    He said that the complete ban of drug hawking was still in force and all medicines must be kept at the appropriate temperature as prescribed by the manufacturer to achieve the desired efficacy, potency and safety.

    “Drug hawking exposes the commodities to severe temperatures, high humidity and other unfriendly climatic conditions. This is unacceptable.

    “Hawking of drugs compromises the ethics and standards of the sale and distribution of medicinal products. How could one be in the business of a commodity of which you do not have prerequisite knowledge?

    “Drug hawking is a serious violation of drug law hence the consumers should always purchase medicines from registered drug outlets.

    “The risks associated with patronising drug hawkers are dangerous and very lethal,” he said.

    Mato said NAFDAC had been up and doing to educate and sensitise the unsuspecting consumers on the inherent dangers of patronising drug hawkers.

    “Drug hawkers must not be allowed to toy with the lives of the people,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC sensitises corps members on product registration in Kaduna State

    NAFDAC sensitises corps members on product registration in Kaduna State

    By Stella Kabruk
    Kaduna:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has embarked on sensitisation of corps members on product registration requirements.

    The State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Nasiru Mato said that the agency had made it easier for businesses in the country to register their products through the NAFDAC  Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the orientation course was organised by the National Youth  Service Corps (NYSC) in Kaduna.

    Mato said that products registration with NAFDAC usually threw up different questions and requests.

    He said that acquiring licences for NAFDAC regulated products was mandatory for the prospective manufacturers to secure marketing authorisation.

    He said that the registration process was now made easier by NAFDAC on its e-registration platform referred to as NAPAMS.

    “The e-registration is seamless, interactive and clients can get real time feedback and responses at every step thus can always monitor the progress and status of their application anywhere online.

    “Product safety, quality, wholesomeness competitiveness and consumer confidence are among the numerous advantages of product registration with NAFDAC.”

    Mato implored the corps members who had obtained entrepreneural skills to take advantage of NAPAMS to register their regulated products which have minimal risks under MSME category.

    He said that the system offered greater transparency, reduction in possible registration bottlenecks as well as registration timeline.

    He urged them to see products registration with NAFDAC as a stepping stone to boost businesses, self-reliance, economic growth and empowerment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC seals warehouse over alleged harmful chemicals

    NAFDAC seals warehouse over alleged harmful chemicals

    By Flowerbud News

    Nov. 4, 2021

    The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday sealed a warehouse and arrested the owner over alleged unguarded sales of harmful chemicals.

    The Kano State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Shaba Muhammed, told journalists that the deadly chemicals included Sulphuric acid, caustic soda, hydraulic acid, hydrogen peroxide, among others.

    According to Shaba, before a person engages in the sale of such substances, one needs training and certification on the handling and storage of such chemicals.

    “Besides, the location of the warehouse needed to be inspected,” he said.

    He said that the warehouse was situated in Sabon Gari residential area.

    The coordinator appealed to residents to watch out for such a warehouse and report to the authorities to avoid unexpected calamities.

    He added that the suspect was currently in NAFDAC custody and would be handed over to the Police for further investigation and prosecution soon.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC arraigns businessman, 43, for alleged importation of 100g fake Tramadol

    By Sandra Umeh
    Lagos:. A 43-year-old businessman, Afamefuna Udensi, has appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, on alleged importation of fake Tramadol drug.

    The defendant is being prosecuted by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on charges bordering on alleged importation of fake Tramadol drug.

    He was arraigned on Wednesday on three counts of importation as well as sale of fake and unregistered drugs.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Daniel Osiagor.

    After the plea of the defendant, Defence Counsel, Mr Emeka Okpoko (SAN), informed the court that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the police, and urged to appear for his arraignment today.

    He told the court that he had yet to file his motion for bail and so, would do the needful in no time.

    The court, consequently, adjourned the case until Nov. 15, for hearing of the bail application.

    The judge ordered the defendant to be remanded in the correctional service Alagbon, pending bail.

    In the charges the prosecutor, Mrs Chinyere Okoli, told the court that the defendant who resides at No 2, Ezinwanne St. in Onitsha, Anambra, committed the offence on Oct. 26.

    She said that he had imported 100g of Phini Tramadol which were discovered to be unregistered and consequently fake.

    She said that the offences contravened the provisions of sections 1(c), 1(1) and 3(1) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, (Miscellaneous provisions Act, Cap C34, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The offence also contravened the provisions of section 1(1) of the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration) Act, Cap F33, Law of the Federation, 2004.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to NAFDAC , Phini Pharm (belonging to Udensi), in a premeditated attempt to beat NAFDAC PID at the port of entry, concealed the fake products with furniture and motor spare parts in groupage from China.

    “The original product that NAFDAC registered belongs to Macdec pharmaceutical.

    “The counterfeiter counterfeited first, the registered version and secondly, the Phini Tramadol 100mg using the NAFDAC NO: of the Macdec.

    “A random sample purchased from the market before investigations led us to Udensi (suspect)’s which had zero active ingredient.

    “On receipt of the petition, the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate team liaised  with Inspector-General of Police Intelligence response team (IGP-IRT) and the petitioner to track, trace  and arrest the suspect connected to the case.”

    NAFDAC said that the I&E directorate also gathered intelligence on a warehouse at Onitsha, Anambra, belonging to the Clearing Agent of the suspected kingpin of the syndicate and a raid was conducted.

    During the operation, operatives recovered 171cartons of  products purportedly smuggled in from China and it was observed that some of the cartoons had the names of the suspect written on them. (NAN) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC Moves to Empower corps members, Sensitises them on product Registration

    By Stella Kabruk
    Kaduna: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has embarked on sensitisation of corps members on product registration requirements to encourage entrepreneurship among them.

    The State Coordinator of the agency, Mr Nasiru Mato said that the agency had made it easier for businesses in the country to register their products through the NAFDAC  Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the orientation course was organised by the National Youth  Service Corps (NYSC) in Kaduna.

    Mato said that products registration with NAFDAC usually threw up different questions and requests.

    He said that acquiring licences for NAFDAC regulated products was mandatory for the prospective manufacturers to secure marketing authorisation.

    He said that the registration process was now made easier by NAFDAC on its e-registration platform referred to as NAPAMS.

    “The e-registration is seamless, interactive and clients can get real time feedback and responses at every step thus can always monitor the progress and status of their application anywhere online.

    “Product safety, quality, wholesomeness competitiveness and consumer confidence are among the numerous advantages of product registration with NAFDAC.”

    Mato implored the corps members who had obtained entrepreneural skills to take advantage of NAPAMS to register their regulated products which have minimal risks under MSME category.

    He said that the system offered greater transparency, reduction in possible registration bottlenecks as well as registration timeline.

    He urged them to see products registration with NAFDAC as a stepping stone to boost businesses, self-reliance, economic growth and empowerment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC uncovers ‘ghost’ sachet water factories in Yola –state coordinator

    NAFDAC uncovers ‘ghost’ sachet water factories in Yola –state coordinator

     

    By Muhammad Adam

    Yola:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has uncovered ‘ghost’ sachet water factories in Yola, Adamawa state.

    Mr  Gonzuk Nyor, the Adamawa Coordinator of the agency disclosed this in an interview with the  News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Yola, on Thursday.

    Nyor said that the water from the factories were seen in town, but the locations of the factories or their time of production remained unknown to the agency.

    ” There are a lot of sachet water manufacturers without proper addresses , sometimes these people produced water in the night.

    ”  If you go to the facilities, you will not see anybody and nothing is happening in the factories, but still their water is seen in the town.

    “As matter of fact, there are some places we went to and we discovered that the factories had been turned into residential houses,“ Nyor said.

    The coordinator, who expressed worry over the development, said that the agency was working to arrest the situation, through intelligence gathering, adding that already, three water factories had been sealed in the state, following the expiration and non-renewal of their production licences.

    Nyor said that there were over 200 registered water manufacturers in the state and the agency had ensured  that the producers maintained Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP), because it was found that some of the manufacturers, after being registered and numbered, they deviated from what they were licensed for.

    “During inspection, we identified some factories that their licences had expired for the past four years, but were still producing water”, he said.

    He added that the agency had given directives to its officers to lock all factories whose licence had expired and have did not renewed, calling on the public to assist the agency with useful and confidential information about the activities of unregistered water factories in the state.

    The primary assignment of the agency was to protect Nigerians from unwholesome products that were harmful to human health, Nyor said, as he emphasised that the agency would ensure that only healthy and certified foods and drinks were allowed to be sold in Nigeria. (NAN) ( www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews