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  • NAFDAC cautions Nigerians against consumption of sodium

    NAFDAC cautions Nigerians against consumption of sodium

    By Gami Tadanyigbe

    Gwagwalada (FCT):  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to stop the consumption of sodium (non-iodised salt) to prevent health complications.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, gave the advice on Thursday, at the University of Abuja,  at a stakeholders meeting on ‘Evaluation Implementation and Scale-up of Nigeria’s National Sodium Reduction Activities.

    According to her, the objectives of the meeting are to present the preliminary findings of the first phase of the project which involves surveys carried out in FCT, Ogun and Kano and to discuss strategies to scale up reduction of sodium (salt) consumption in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the  meeting was jointly hosted by NAFDAC and University of Abuja to lead in the implementation of sodium reduction in the country.

    “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration in collaborations with state, and non-state actors using the scale-up of a national sodium reduction program in WHO’S SHAKE package.

    “Purpose of this meeting is to increase awareness of the positive impact of sodium salt reduction on health in the food industry, amongst the policymakers, consumers and other stakeholders on the risk associated with high salt intake.

    “Sodium is mainly consumed as salt (sodium chloride) which in the diet can come from processed foods, either because they contain large amounts of salt as ready meals, processed meats like bacon, Corn beef, and cheese.

    “There are many mechanisms put in place by NAFDAC to promote and protect the health of our people and one of such is sensitization, well informed, and educated citizenry is the bedrock of effective regulation,” she said.

    Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah, the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, on his part called on all Nigerians to cooperate with NAFDAC and reduce the consumption of sodium to prevent health hazards.

    Na’allah said habitual consumption of excess salt may seem harmless, but is linked to several non-communicable diseases which is prevalent in Nigeria, saying that reduction is necessary.

    He said that a meaningful strategy to reduce salt consumption across the populations must contain all elements of the SHAKE salt reduction package developed by WHO. (NAN)(nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC warns against purchase of unpacked cereals, seize N3bn drugs

    By Oluwafunke Ishola/Aderogba George

    Lagos:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the public against purchasing cereal or other products that have been removed from their primary packaging so as not to jeopardise their health.

     

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, gave the warning during a news briefing on Friday in Lagos.

     

    Adeyeye said that the agency was pained because infants and children were the targets and the ultimate victims of such wicked and evil activities.

     

    According to her, the agency is conducting raid operations with success recorded in the area of forfeiture of unwholesome processed cereals, beverages, and dairy products.

     

    She added that this was in order to deal with the incidence of food fraud.

     

    “In the nationwide raid which commenced in July 2021, seven trucks conveying 4,578 cartons of various unlabelled, transparent nylon packed cereals worth over 60 million naira were confiscated by the agency.

     

    “The sources of these various falsely packed cereals and dairy products cannot be verified and, therefore, NAFDAC cannot guarantee the safety of the products for consumption.

     

    “During one of our operations, a suspect declared that the CocoPops, CornFlakes and Oats being displayed for sale in transparent nylons were sourced from LAWMA waste disposal trucks before repackaging into transparent nylons,” she said.

     

    The DG disclosed that its officials raided two warehouses at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, where multiple cartons of banned drugs including 10 cartons of Tafradol (Tramadol 225mg) were found.

     

    “It is pertinent to mention that any strength above 100mg not registered is banned due to its deleterious effects on vital organs of the body such as the central nervous system and the brain,” she said.

     

    She said that the banned and falsified drugs in the warehouses owned by one Chuka (Akuamia), who was at large, was estimated to be worth over three billion naira.

     

    Adeyeye said that over 20 truckloads of the offensive products were evacuated from the two locations.

     

    She noted that the products were stored at temperatures above 40oc which ordinarily would denature some of the active ingredients and the excipients.

     

    Adeyeye disclosed that the agency had commenced raids of markets and supermarkets with the aim of mopping up unregistered NAFDAC products.

     

    She said this was in response to credible intelligence indicating that importers were smuggling into the country unregistered regulated products ahead of the festive period.

     

    Adeyeye disclosed that the agency had observed that some fake and counterfeit products were brought into the country through a system known as “Groupage’’, a system where more than two persons load containers with different items from the country of origin.

     

    According to her, this system aids and abets counterfeiting, adding that contraband and unregistered regulated products are concealed and brought into the country through this arrangement.

     

    “We solicit the cooperation of the public, corporate bodies, religious leaders, traditional rulers, health practitioners, gentlemen of the press and all stakeholders in our effort to rid the nation of fake and unwholesome products.

     

    “The counterfeiters are not spirits, they live among us and flaunt their ill-gotten and blood money. To assist us, please report to the nearest NAFDAC office in your neighbourhood, town, or city across the country.

     

    “Consumers are hereby enjoined to ‘shine their eyes’ when making purchases of products and should not patronise roadside and street vendors,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC sensitises students on drug abuse, consumer safety in Sokoto

    ?é byBy Habibu Habibu
    Sokoto:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has embarked on sensitisation of students on dangers of drug abuse and consumer safety in Sokoto State.

    The agency’s state Coordinator, Mr Garba Adamu, said during the sensitisation on Wednesday that the exercise was aimed at enlightening students and staff on dangers of drug abuse, misuse, as well as consumer safety issues on products.

    He noted that participants needed to be sensitised on buying products with right NAFDAC registration, checking expiry dates on regulated products.

    He added that “it is a deliberate effort by the agency to sensitise and enlighten the public, especially the young ones, on their roles in safeguarding the health of the nation.

    “This is achievable by preventing drug abuse and reporting the circulation of unregistered or expired regulated products they see.”

    Adamu said that participants were also educated on how to use the newly introduced mobile platform “Med Safety Mobile App” to report adverse drug reaction or any reaction to authorities.

    He noted that adverse reactions could also occur after using cosmetics, herbal products or other products.

    The coordinator said that the campaign would be sustained to ensure that children were adequately informed and guided to be the next generation of productive members of the society by avoiding drug abuse and misuse.

    He explained that NAFDAC had made it easier for businesses in the country to register their products through the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS).

    Adamu noted 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.” he added.

    In his remark, the Desk Officer in charge of sensitisations in Sokoto, Mr Surajo Magori, said schools visited so far comprised Nana Girls Secondary School and Sultan Bello Secondary School.

    He added other schools visited were Federal Government College, Government Girls College and Sheikh Gummi Memorial College all within Sokoto metropolis.

    Magori said pamphlets and posters were distributed aimed at safeguarding the health of all Nigerians.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that beside students and teachers other participants comprised members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and schools’ community members. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC donates sensitisation materials on COVID-19 to Zamfara

    By Ishaq Zaki/Shuaib Sadiq

    Gusau,: NAFDAC on Monday in Gusau presented sensitisation materials to Zamfara government as its contribution to the fight against COVID-19 spread in the state.

    A NAFDAC official Mr Bilyaminu Bashir, who made the presentation, said public awareness campaign remained one of the veritable mechanisms to promote and safeguard the health of the people.

    He represented the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to present the materials to Zamfara’s Gov. Bello Matawalle.

    It was at the launch of the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign and inauguration of Zamfara’s committee against COVID-19 card racketeering.

    Receiving the campaign materials, which included flyers and posters, Speaker of the Zamfara House of Assembly, Nasiru Mu’azu-Magarya, thanked NAFDAC for the support in the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

    He represented Gov. Matawalle at the function.

    Mu’azu-Magarya announced the appointment of NAFDAC to serve as member of Zamfara’s COVID-19 vaccination card racketeering committee.

    He assured NAFDAC of Zamfara government’s continued partnership to ensure effective food and drugs management in the state.

    Speaking on COVID-19 mass vaccination and inauguration of Zamfara’s joint committee against COVID-19 card racketeering, Mu’azu-Magarya said more than 88,000 persons had received the first dose of the vaccine in the state.

    “More than 56,000 persons have received the second dose of the vaccines so far in Zamfara State,’’ he added.

    Meanwhile, the state government says COVID-19 vaccination card racketeers risked prosecution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Flowerbudnews

  • Pak Africa: Without quality trade will be short lived, says DG NAFDAC

    By Maureen Okon

    Lagos:.  Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General (DG), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said on Tuesday night, that “Without Quality Trade, the Pakistan-Africa Trade Development will be short lived”.

    Adeyeye said this at the dinner event of the 2nd Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference, a three-day event scheduled from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25 in Lagos.

    The DG noted that ”it’s been a wonderful time of exchange of culture and most of us could feel the music and the dance which are universal, it is only the language that is left out of these three events of culture .

    “So, this is an important event for Nigeria and Pakistan. When you talk of trade, you also talk of quality that is where the regulatory agencies come in. Without quality, trade will be short lived.

    “What we did in NAFDAC is to create an office of trade and international relations because we do not want to leave trade out of our regulations.

    “Regulatory agencies are supposed to be universal in terms of what they expect from their clients or stakeholders like you. The mandate of NAFDAC is to control and regulate importation, exportation, manufacture, and distribution.

    “Other are advertisements, sales and use of seven regulated products that include drugs, medical devices, diagnostic, vaccines, foods, cosmetics, chemicals, packaged water and beverages,” Adeyeye said.

    She also said that the Nigerian Government could relate to the importance of exchange of culture and regulatory ideas, adding that, in terms of what NAFDAC does, they welcome trade, investors and they have created room for partnership in terms of pharmaceuticals and foods.

    According to her, “we have improved our regulatory control over the last four years, and the WHO is recognising us for that because without strong regulatory Agency there cannot be good trade.

    “So all our Pakistani friends that are here you are most welcome, and in fact is a reciprocity of culture as our minister said this morning and this is part of what we have to watch tonight, understanding each other and that will foster trade.

    She appreciated the Pakistani Minister of Commerce and Investment for the organisation of the event and assured of her readiness and free access to encourage collaboration between both countries.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the dinner event was the cultural troops from Nigeria and Pakistan, who performed and kept the guests entertained for the rest of the evening.

    The cultural dancers were from the South West (Yoruba), South South (Edo), northern Nigeria (Hausa), Benue, South East (Igbo) and Akwa Ibom. Each troop sang their indigenous cultural heritage songs.

    The dancers performed to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage which made the guest to be glued and excited for the performance.

    Then a three-man troop from Pakistani performed their cultural song and dance, lead by Akhtar Channar. Although most guests did not understand the lyrics of the song, they were carried away by the rhythm and dance.

    NAN also reports that 100 pulse companies are participating from 11 pulse sectors, namely: pharmaceutical, paints and chemicals, Surgical instruments, beauty and cosmetics, leather products and accessories.

    Others are: kitchen wares, food and beverages, automotive and agricultural machinery, electrical appliances, and information technology.

    NAN reports that at the end of the dinner, some of the dignitaries were recognised for their outstanding performance and contribution to the outcome of the 2nd Pak-Africa Conference. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NEMA, NAFDAC to collaborate on quality medicaments to disaster victims

    By Ruth Oketunde

    Abuja: T?he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is seeking collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to deliver quality medicaments to disaster victims.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Manzo Ezekiel, Head, Public Relations, NEMA, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, NEMA, made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

    Ahmed said that the paradigm shift adopted by NEMA toward disaster risk reduction and building of a national resilience could not be achieved without the support of partner agencies like NAFDAC.

    “Nigeria in recent times is confronted with significant humanitarian crises.

    “Nature induced hazards, especially floods, windstorms, marine, gully erosion, desertification amongst others which are constantly exacerbated by climate change and variability have also posed great challenge to development planning across socio-economic sectors.

    “The cocktail of challenges has been complicated by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant physical and emotional lockdowns in global economic sectors.

    “The good news, however, is that as an outcome of lessons learnt under crises, NEMA is adopting to the new normal and is getting better prepared for improved service delivery, developing technology and building new networks to confront old and emerging challenges.

    “NAFDAC’s mission of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only the right quality drugs, foods and other regulated products are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised, sold and used in Nigeria, is in tandem with NEMA’s mandate of disaster management coordination and building of national resilience,” he said.

    In her response, Adeyeye assured of the readiness of her agency to collaborate with NEMA, especially to enhance the quality of supports given to Internally Displaced Persons affected by insurgency and other related disasters in the country. (NAN) www.nannews.ng / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC DG demands hazard allowance for staff

    NAFDAC DG demands hazard allowance for staff

    By Aderogba George
    Abuja:. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday demanded for hazard allowance for its staff who play critical roles in the regulation of drugs and foods in the country.
    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, made the demand at a news conference in Abuja while giving her stewardship in office in the last four years.
    She said that the allowance became necessary following the threat some of the staff go through while discharging their duties.
    The director-general stated that a lot of restructuring had happened in the agency to strengthen its workforce and reposition it to enable it carry out its mandate effectively.
    Adeyeye disclosed that with the efforts the agency was putting up in the regulation of COVID-19 vaccine, Nigeria would be able to manufacture her own COVID-19 vaccine come 2022.
    “I met an agency whose regulatory activities were at the lowest ebb, staff morale was low, glaring cases of indiscipline and labour union strikes as well as general lack of administrative focus and direction.
    “I knew the regulatory framework was weak and therefore needed systemic overhauling. I quickly realised that it will take putting in place seven international building blocks that are based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
    “For strong regulatory framework, a quality system approach or template must be in place that places premium on the customer. Therefore, we decided to adopt an agency-wide quality management system (ISO 9001) that took the entire staff through training.
    “We have been working towards attaining maturity level three to enable Nigeria to strengthen our systems and to enable Nigeria manufacture vaccines,” she said.
    She said that the WHO officials were in the country to audit the agency activities and were glad about what they saw on ground, adding that the basis for their satisfaction was on the different building blocks NAFDAC put in place.
    Adeyeye said that the agency had restructured and expanded in structure from 13 directorates to 18 directorates across the country including the FCT, adding that five newly created directorates are laboratory services.
    She added that 40 utility vehicles vital to the operation of the agency had been purchased, while another 73 vehicles were undergoing process by the agency, saying some of them would be used for state operations.
    She said that the agency had revamped its information communication technology, and that there had been an improvement in the communication system between the agency and the public.
    The director-general said that the agency had been proactive and vigilant in its investigation, enforcement, posts inspection and pharmacovigilance activities in the area of food safety, applied nutrition, narcotics and control substance.
    She disclosed that the agency had deployed multifaceted strategies in its efforts to combat substandard, falsified, illicit drugs and chemicals.
    Adeyeye said that the agency had established a traceability office and a technical working group to drive the activities in its five years implementation plan, adding that NAFDAC was now using traceability to monitor distribution of vaccines across the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC DG warns Nigerians against abuse of antibiotics to avoid Untimely death

    By Biola Lawal

    Lagos:.  The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has  warned Nigerians against abuse and irrational use of antibiotics to avoid untimely death.

    A statement by Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant quoted Prof. Adeyeye as stating that abuse of antibiotics causes antimicrobial resistance resulting in avoidable death.

    The NAFDAC DG expressed worry and alarm over the increasing rate of irrational use of antibiotics which had accelerated the process of Antimicrobial Resistance AMR in the country, leading to avoidable deaths.

    Prof. Adeyeye raised the alarm at the virtual 2021 World Antimicrobial Resistance Week (WAAW) anniversary with the theme, Spread Awareness Stop Resistance.

    Prof Adeyeye as sounded the strong warning that if allowed to fester, antimicrobial resistance could lead to death.

    She added that the menace and war against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has, not only gained prominent and global attention but, also become a significant battle that the human race must win.

    ‘’It is in view of this fact; I am delighted to be part of this battle and welcome all our esteemed stakeholders to the front line of this battle.

    Creating awareness amidst us all is a major step in AMR stewardship by relevant stakeholders to effectively stop resistance’’, she said,

    Prof. Adeyeye added that the ‘’step is unique and is expected, not only to redirect our way of handling and use of antimicrobial agents, but also to yield a significant reduction in the incidence of AMR’’.

    According to her, NAFDAC is using the stakeholders’ meeting, to mark her participation in the year 2021 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), targeting professionals in the Healthcare sector, Veterinarians, Animal Husbandry professionals in livestock production, Plant Pathologists and individuals that use antimicrobial agents.

    Prof Adeyeye expressed dismay that the development and proliferation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is the ability of pathogenic microorganism to resist the effect of antimicrobial agents when used to treat internal or external infections in both human and animal population has compromised the ability of antimicrobials to effectively treat infectious diseases as expected.

    ‘’The emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens continues to weaken the health systems’’, she lamented.

    The NAFDAC boss posited that the fight against AMR requires collective efforts that are interlinked and interphase along the One-Health Concept.

    To this end, she said NAFDAC in her regulatory activities has put in place some important regulatory measures to curb the emergence and spread of AMR.

    ‘’This is very necessary and extremely important to ensure food safety and food security, a safe environment, and a healthy citizen in our dear country’’, she said, adding that everyone in the healthcare, livestock production and environmental management subsectors of the economy is directly or indirectly involved in curbing AMR.

    Prof Adeyeye, however, reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that only safe and wholesome food, drugs, and other regulated products are available to Nigerians. She said ‘’the Agency is now more dedicated to the delivery of quality services to our stakeholders thus the Agencys slogan customer focused. Agency minded which is now well entrenched in our operations’’.

    In todays NAFDAC, she said the Agency seeks to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, sister MDAs both at State and Federal levels, toward a more effective regulation and active involvement in creating awareness about AMR, insisting that ignorant and / or non-conformance amidst professionals will be a serious setback in bringing to an end the emergence and spread of AMR.

    The Agency’s stake in the protection of public health, as entrenched in NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004, is to ensure that regulated products that are available for use are wholesome, safe and of the right quality.

    The Agency, in fulfilling this mandate toward combating AMR, is adding impetus to her regulatory activities through industrial outreach and collaboration with stakeholders and fostering synergy within her technical directorates to attain a seamless regulatory process and ensuring that the distribution and use of regulated products are effectively controlled through a robust Post Marketing Surveillance.

    Currently, she disclosed that the Agency has, amidst other regulatory actions:
    reviewed the formulation of all antibiotics to prevent the excessive use of multiple Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and banned the use of Antibiotics as growth promoter in livestock and fish production.

    Prof Adeyeye further explained that the Agency has banned the use of Antibiotics and gentian violet as mold inhibitor in animal feed.

    She said that the Agency also introduced the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), a mechanism put in place for detecting counterfeit antibiotics by consumers while NAFDAC organised road show campaign and public enlightenment on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents to promote safe and judicious use of antibiotics.

    According to the DG, several factors have perpetuated the accelerated AMR occurrence; they contribute in various ways to the problem. She noted that misuse resulting from overuse and underuse of antimicrobial agents have been identified as main causes and implicated in the increasing trend of resistant pathogens in both human and animal populations.

    ‘’Consequently, minimizing the emergence and spread of AMR requires a coordinated, focused multi-sectorial and multinational effort’’, she said. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • Support `hustle’ of Nigerians, Osinbajo tells NAFDAC, CAC, others

    By Chijioke Okoronkwo

    Abuja:.  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies(MDAs) to support the “hustle” of Nigerians engaged in different enterprises by creating a conducive and enabling business environment.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the vice president spoke at the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics Stakeholders’ Review Meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Akande said the meeting was attended by heads and representatives of agencies including Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).

    Others, according to him were the heads of Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) among others.

    He quoted the VP as saying that “Everybody knows that Nigerians are enterprising, practically every Nigerian has some kind of business, as they say, some hustle or some other things that they are doing.

    “People need the right environment and that is what our role is, to ensure that we understand that it is to facilitate and make it easier, not to become a stumbling block or a tollgate.

    “This is a country where people want and desire to work; the constraints are what we have to address; this would be dealt with by human beings and not spirits.”

    “Our creativity and innovation must be first and foremost to remove the obstacles, that is what will solve Nigeria’s problems, implementation of the grand policies that we have and it depends on us.”

    The vice president further said it had taken some young Nigerians three years to get registration numbers for their businesses.

    He said he was told that in some other close African nations, the same registration takes six weeks.

    “If you get food and drugs administration registration anywhere else, you can be in a Nigerian supermarket… and they come and compete with our own people here.

    “This is happening in every respect, even with exports,” he said.

    In her remarks,  Amb. Mariam Katagun, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, expressed her appreciation to the vice president for his leadership role.

    She also commended the stakeholders and state governors for their collaboration and cooperation in holding MSME Clinics. (NAN)/ Flowerbudnews