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  • NAFDAC, NYSC sign MoU to promote healthy living among Nigerians

     

    By Folasade Akpan

    Abuja:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the promotion of healthy living among Nigerians.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC, Mr Eddy Megwa, on Friday in Abuja.

    At the ceremony, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, said that youth corps members’ presence in all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country would be a good driver of the initiative.

    This, she said, was because they would serve as change agents to sensitise Nigerians to the dangers of drug abuse and expired drugs, especially at the grassroots.

    She said that the agency’s mandate was to safeguard the health of Nigerians alongside the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    “The MSMEs are the ones that actually drive the economy and having NAFDAC desks in the 774 LGAs will bring NAFDAC closer to the people through the youth corps members,” she said.

    The Director-General of NYSC, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, represented by the Director, Legal Services, Mr Ibrahim Tijani, assured that the scheme would abide by the terms of the MoU.

    He commended NAFDAC for the initiative adding that youth corps members would be helpful in the collaboration, given the successes they had recorded in previous national assignments.

    Also, Mr Abdulrasaq Salawu, the Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects of NYSC, said the MoU was long overdue.

    He added that corps members would always be ready to create awareness on government’s programmes and activities geared toward national development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC Yet to Approve IHP Detox Tea For Cure of COVID-19, DG Warns

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has denounced the claims of efficacy of IHP Detox Tea for the cure of COVID-19 patients.

    The claims were purportedly made by the Chief Executive officer of Bioresources Development and Conservative Programme, Prof. Maurice Iwu in one of the national dailies (the Guardian Newspaper of 28th March 2022)..

    The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stated emphatically that n ”only NAFDAC has the mandate to make any pronouncement on the quality, safety, and efficacy of all regulated products that showed satisfactory scientific evidence’’.

    Prof Adeyeye made the declaration in a media statement signed by the Agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, in Abuja on Sunday.

    The Agency frowned at the media reports ostensibly circulated at the instance of the promoters of IHP Detox Tea which claimed that the herbal medicine was the only product approved by the Agency for the treatment of COVID-19.

    In a letter to the Chief Executive officer of Bioresources Development and Conservative Programme, Prof. Maurice Iwu, by the regulatory body,  NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye stated that ”NAFDAC is the only authorized Agency by law that is allowed to make any pronouncement on safety and efficacy of all regulated products with satisfactory scientific evidence (Clinical Trial).

    ‘’Therefore, it is worrisome that such unguided statement is made without the stated fact that no product can be approved by NAFDAC without satisfactory clinical evidence’’, she noted in a tone laden with grief.

    The NAFDAC boss explained that three herbal formulations were approved for clinical trial studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    She said that while two studies have commenced including the IHP Detox Tea, the third clinical trial study is yet to start.

    According to her, the IHP Detox Tea clinical trial study at CMU/LUTH and NAUTH, approved for Prof Iwu’s company, was only a pilot study, (that is still ongoing), with a small sample size that is inadequate to make pronouncement on safety and efficacy of the product.

    She insisted that only a NAFDAC approved Phase 3 Clinical Trial with enough sample size can be used to make such claims on efficacy, after regulatory approval of the study outcomes.

    Prof Mojisola Adeyeye noted with dismay that the World Health Organisation WHO team and other well-meaning individuals in the research space have found the claim of efficacy of the IHP Detox Tea misleading, and the Agency is saddled with the responsibility to provide oversight and deter such inaccurate information on regulated products in the country.

    She disclosed that preparatory to the WHO team’s visit to Nigeria for the study, NAFDAC officials on inspection of the clinical trial site of IHP Detox Tea had found some lapses.

    ‘’We discovered some seventeen (17) lapses during our inspection visit. We passed the lapses to them as compliance directive to address.’’, she said.

    Prof Adeyeye added that the company was yet to respond to the identified lapses by the regulatory authority before making pronouncement that the product is efficacious for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

    She however, asked Prof Iwu to retract the statement on the same newspapers and any other platform used for such improper and misleading representation of the IHP Detox Tea study within 48 hours from the receipt of the letter and inform the Agency on the action to avoid further regulatory sanctions.

    In his response, Prof. Iwu admitted that NAFDAC is the only authorized Agency by law that is allowed to make any pronouncement on quality, safety and efficacy of all regulated products with satisfactory evidence.

    Reiterating his profound gratitude to the Agency for the kind approval of the pilot study protocol during the peak of SARS-COV2 pandemic, Prof Iwu urged the newspapers that published the report to make the necessary correction.

    He noted that being an unsolicited and independent editorial decision of the newspaper, ‘’we are not in a position to compel the newspaper to retract its story nor retract a story not published by us or at our instance’’.

    He averred that the publication under reference was neither an advertisement nor authored by his organization or its functionary or employee.

    In a letter dated May 17, 2022, and addressed to the DG NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Prof Iwu pointed out that from the text of the publication, it appears to be an opinion of the journalist who wrote the story, as he admonished the newspaper to correct the said misinformation that is capable of misleading members of the public.

    ‘’We have however, drawn the attention of the editor of the concerned newspaper to the observation of NAFDAC for their necessary correction’’, he said. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • NAFDAC Arraigns Businessman for alleged importation of fake drug

     

    By Sandra Umeh

    Lagos:  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned a 32-year-old businessman, Obinna Igbo before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged importation and sale of a fake drug.

    Igbo was charged on four counts of unlawful importation, possession, sale and distribution of fake Amanta Forte, an unregistered drug.

    According to the charge, the defendant committed the offences on May 4 at Shop E200, Freedom Line, Onitsha Head Bridge Market.

    NAFDAC alleges that Igbo imported fake Amanta Forte soft gel capsules and sold same to members of the public, from his shop in the market.

    nafdacc
    nafdacc

    According to the agency, the offences contravene the provisions of Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2004.

    They also contravened the provisions of Sections 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products Registration Act of 2004. (NAN / Flowerbudnews

    Igbo, who is being prosecuted by NAFDAC, however, pleaded not guilty before Justice Tijani Ringim.

    After his plea, prosecution counsel, Mrs Chinyere Okoli, prayed the court to remand him in custody pending trial.

    Although defence counsel, Mr A.C. Oforjiuba, sought to make an oral bail application for Igbo, the judge ordered that he should be kept in a correctional facility pending a formal bail application.

    He adjourned the case until June 6 for trial. NAN/ Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC nabs businessman for alleged importation of fake drug

    By Aderogba George
    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has arrested one Obinna Igbo,  for allegedly importing fake malaria drug, Amanta Forte.
    The arrest of the suspect, a 32-year old businessman was made known in a statement signed by the agency resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, on Monday.
    Akintola said that the suspect, who imported the unregistered product, had also been arraigned before Justice Tijani Ringim of a Federal High Court in Lagos on a four-count charge.
    The charges are unlawful importation, possession, sale, and distribution of fake Amanta Forte soft gel (Artemether 80mg + Lumefantrine 480mg Capsules) drug at Head bridge market Onitsha, Anambra State.
    It was revealed that the accused person sold the fake drugs at Shop E200, Freedom Line, Onitsha Head Bridge Market after importing the same into the country.
    The statement reported the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, as saying that the suspect was arrested by officials of the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the agency.
    She said that the officials had raided three pharmaceutical outlets at  Bridge Head market Onitsha; namely Triphon Point Global limited, Emma Medicals Nigeria Limited and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited.
    The DG stated that offending product was found in Triphon Point Global limited, and the product was subsequently evacuated and the shop was placed on hold.
    She explained further that at Emma Medicals and Ekeh Mountain Global Ventures Limited, the shops were visited, and thorough screening was conducted as well.
    She however, said that the offending product was not displayed on the shelves of these shops, but their sales books revealed that they all sold the unrrgistered product.
    According to her, the three shops were placed on hold and their managing directors were invited for further interrogation and they claimed that the product was sourced from one Blessed OJ Don Global Link in the market.
    The DG said that the three suspects further stated that if they were given the opportunity, they would assist the agency in apprehending Mr Obinna Igbo, the Managing Director of Blessed OJ Don Global Link.
    According to her, all efforts to arrest  Igbo proved abortive as he was on the run, knowing that he was being trailed by NAFDAC, but was later caught in Onisha with the use of tracking divices.
    “Upon interrogation, Igbo acknowledged without duress that he was the importer of Amanta Forte Soft Gel, an illegal antimalarial drug he smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana.
    “The date markings on the products indicated that the product was manufactured in India and marketed by Mitzaagold International FZE Amin Hussain market, AL Trade Zone, Dubai, UAE.
    “The suspect said he has other pharmaceutical products which he also imported into the country, some of which are anti-hypertensive drugs,” Adeyeye disclosed.
    She said that the suspect also acknowledged that he sold the product to the shops visited during the raid by NAFDAC, and had pleaded not guilty before the Judge, which his counsel, A.C Oforjiuba made an oral application for his bail.
    Adeyeye said that the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Chinyere Okoli, however, prayed the court to remand him in custody pending trial.
    Adeyeye said that the Judge later  adjourned the case until June 6 for trial.
    According to her, the offences contravened the provisions of Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 2004.
    She said the offences also contravened the provisions of Sections 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products Registration Act of 2004.
    NAN

  • NAFDAC warns against indiscriminate advertisement of herbal medicines, organic cosmetics

    ?By Oluwabukola Akanni

    Ibadan:  National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned organic cosmetics and herbal medicine manufacturers against advertising their products without its approval.

    Director of NAFDAC in the South-West Zone, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, handed down the warning while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    Ajayi said that majority of the indiscriminately advertised herbal concoctions and cosmetics did not go through the agency’s approval process.

    According to her, many of the products have failed to comply with the agency’s advertisement rules and regulations.

    Ajayi stated that many of the products had flooded the market and remained unapproved.

    “One of my first assignments in the zone was to have stakeholders’ engagement with different sectors, including people in the food, drugs, cosmetics and herbal sector.

    “We have sounded the warning again and again that indiscriminate advertisement is not allowed, and even when your products are registered and you want to advertise them, you need an advertisement permit from NAFDAC.

    “We need to sound this warning before we go out against them; we are not out to kill businesses; we are here to assist people to do their businesses, but correctly; that is why we engaged stakeholders.

    “Unfortunately, many of these people were not in attendance at that meeting. So those we could reach were those who were registered with us, and we told them how to get the processes done correctly,” she said.

    Ajayi also advised Nigerians to be wary of products and herbal concoctions claiming to be “cure-all” medicine.

    “I agree with you that there are indiscriminate advertisements, especially of herbal drugs claiming to be universal remedy for all ailments. In fact, we call them the “ABC etc” drugs.

    “Those who have registered with us are aware of the regulation and the timeline for them to obtain advertisement permit.

    “This permit is only issued after the products have been subjected to laboratory checks and every claim they are making are authenticated by NAFDAC.

    “We also engage in routine inspection and surveillance activities to ensure that what they are advitising out there is in conformity with what is approved for them,” she said.

    Ajayi also said that the agency had commenced a nationwide campaign on product registration to educate business owners and manufacturers.

    According to her, product registration with NAFDAC helps to add value to products, without compromising quality and safety, while safeguarding the health of the public.

    “We are aware that some may be making claims indiscriminately. When we apprehend them or get to them, we will advise them accordingly and if they don’t change, we will impose appropriate sanctions.

    “But the way to go is to give awareness because many of them are doing it for lack of awareness.

    “Recently, the agency also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where corps members would be engaged to help take sensitisation to communities, especially at the grassroots,” Ajayi said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • World Food Safety Day: NAFDAC advises Nigerians on healthy foods

    By Aderogba George

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to ensure that only safe and wholesome food are consumed by them for healthy living.
    NAFDAC Director-General Prof.Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the 2022 World Food Safety Day with the theme ‘Safer Food, Better Health’.
    A statement by the Agency’s Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, reported the Director General as urging Nigerians to always consume only safe, and wholesome food, to enhance boosting of the immunity and improving the body’s natural defenses in fighting diseases.
    The D-G further stated that Nigerians didn’t need medicines if they ate right, and that eating right means making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods.
    According to her, where food is unsafe, our nutritional goals cannot be achieved and that safety of food is an essential component of sustainable development.
    She said that safe food contributed to the improvement of public health, poverty reduction, and increased food security.
    She noted that the theme for the 2022 World food safety day was apt as the world gradually returned to normal with the COVID-19 pandemic having lost its firm grip on the world.
    Adeyeye pointed out that the theme also aligned with the 75th World Health Assembly theme, which is Health for Peace and Peace for Health.
    According to her, safer food indeed takes the front and centre position for better health and relative personal and world peace and that if one eats right, such person would not need medicine.
    She disclosed that eating right meant making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods.
    According to Adeyeye, the occasion of World Food Safety Day is an added opportunity for the Agency to create and generate awareness around food safety and make it as a significant issue of public health concern.
    The D-G added that the 2022 World food safety day was relevant to us here in Nigeria as the large proportion of the foods we consume are produced by micro- and small-scale producers.
    According to her, the small-scale producers include the smallholder farmers, street food vendors, the traditional, open food markets, and that these were important players of the country’s national food supply.
    Adeyeye noted that their activities were of concern as regards food safety practices, adding that lack of it could undermine the country standard.
    She said that the foods were frequently exposed to less than hygienic and sanitary conditions, which resulted in contamination and brings about incidences and outbreaks of foodborne diseases.
    The NAFDAC boss disclosed that unsafe foods caused many diseases and also contributed to other poor health conditions such as impaired growth and development.
    ‘’We know that food safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring we have safer food for better health – from growers to processors, to transporters, sellers, buyers, and those who prepared or served food.
    “Policy makers, educational institutions and workplaces, as well as consumers were not left out; food safety is the responsibility of all. We must all work together to help achieve safer food for better health’’.
    “Our call to action on this occasion of World Food Safety Day goes to four groups of stakeholders namely policy makers and food regulators, food businesses, educational institutions and workplaces as well as the consumers.
    She urged policy makers and food regulators to design all public procurement of food, such as food aid, school feeding and other publicly owned food outlets, so that consumers could access safe and healthy foods.
    Adeyeye added that they should support policy measures and legal frameworks to strengthen the national food safety system and ensure it complied with food safety standards and regulations.
    She also urged them to encourage and engage in multisectoral collaboration at the local, national, regional, and global levels.
    Adeyeye said food businesses should also engage employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to grow and develop a food safety culture; and comply with international and national food standards.
    NAN

  • NAFDAC to sensitise broadcast media organisations against illegal drug adverts

    By Stella Kabruk

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
    says it is set to embark on sensitisation to broadcast media organisations on illegal drug advertisement.

    The agency’s Coordinator in Kaduna State, Nasiru Mato, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in
    Kaduna that “there are illegal advertisements about drugs both on radio and television which needed to be
    addressed to protect the health of the citizenry.

    “We want to embark on sensitisation to broadcast media organisations for them to stop collecting illegal advertisement.

    “The electronic media should clarify the genuineness of adverts from the agency before advertising it.

    “It is not just about the money gotten through the advertisement of the products, but safeguarding public
    health by checking the genuineness of products.”

    Mato said that the agency would also sensitise Kaduna residents on door to door advertisement.

    According to him, NAFDAC has stipulated guidelines and requirements for issuance of advert permit.

    “Manufacturers of NAFDAC regulated products must ensure that they follow due process to secure advert permit.

    “The content of the advert is scrutinised and vetted before authorisation is given.

    “Any unapproved advertisement is viewed as illegal, and such violation will attract serious sanctions.”

    The NAFDAC coordinator said illegal advertisements were dangerous and totally unacceptable.

    He added that “the agency will not tolerate any misleading advert or claims either on product label or otherwise.

    “All adverts must be verified and confirmed before broadcasting within the ambit of the law.”

    He listed some of the punitive actions against any advert violations to include but not limited to arrest, administrative penalty and seizures.

    He added that NAFDAC in Kaduna would not relent in the discharge of its duty of safeguarding public health by stepping up
    surveillance and monitoring activities in every nook and cranny of the state.

    NAN

  • Don’t buy unregistered packaged foods, NAFDAC warns consumers

    Don’t buy unregistered packaged foods, NAFDAC warns consumers

     

    By Suleiman Shehu

    Ibadan:   The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against buying unregistered packaged food products to avoid contracting diseases.

    Mrs Rosline Ajayi, the NAFDAC Director in charge of South-West, gave the warning on the sideline at a sensitisation programme to mark the World Food Safety Day on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that its theme was: “Saver Food Better Health”.

    Ajayi said that the quality of any packaged product, not registered by NAFDAC, could not be guaranteed.

    She called on consumers to always be critical about labelling information in packaged products, check NAFDAC registration and as well check the batch coding to ensure that the products are not expired.

    The NAFDAC director said there was growing concern over food safety matters, adding that some non-communicable diseases were contracted as a result of what people are consuming.

    “This is why there is need to sensitise and create awareness on food safety in order to keep people from illnesses.

    “Consumers must also handle the food properly and ensure the food they buy in the markets are kept in clean surfaces and store at a right temperature in order to avoid food boil illnesses,” she said.

    The director said that the agency would continue to play its parts and ensure that consumers were not deceived by manufacturers in making indiscriminate claims about their products. (NAN) ( Flowerbudnews)

  • Eat Only Safe and wholesome food to keep Healthy, NAFDAC DG, Counsels Nigerians

    Eat Only Safe and wholesome food to keep Healthy, NAFDAC DG, Counsels Nigerians

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja: NAFDAC Boss, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has advised Nigerians to eat only safe and wholesome food to boost immunity and improve body’s natural defenses against diseases

    In a statement to mark the 4th World Food Safety Day 2022 on Tuesday,Prof. Adeyeye noted that Nigerians would not need medicines if they are right.

    The NAFDAC DG stressed that eating right means making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods.

    The Theme of the NAFDAC celebration was; Safer Food, Better Health’.

    Prof Adeyeye noted that where food is unsafe, our nutritional goals cannot be achieved.

    In a statement signed by Sayo Akintola, Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Prof. Adeyeye was quoted as saying that safe food is an essential component of sustainable development and contributes towards improvement of public health, poverty reduction, and increased food security.

    She noted that the theme for this year is very apt, as the world gradually returns to normal with the COVID-19 pandemic having lost its firm grip on the world.

    Prof Adeyeye pointed out that the theme also aligns with the World Health Assembly 75 theme, which is Health for Peace and Peace for Health, adding that safer food indeed takes the front and centre position for better health and relative personal and world peace.

    ‘’You all know my popular saying about not needing medicine if one eats right. Eating right means making healthy food choices from safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods’, she said.

    She stressed that the occasion of World Food Safety Day is an added opportunity for us to create and generate awareness around food safety and situate it as a very significant issue of public health concern, especially in the light of safe, wholesome food being important for boosting immunity and improving the bodys natural defenses in fighting diseases.

    ‘’The theme Safer Food, Better Health is very relevant to us here in Nigeria as a large proportion of the foods we consume are produced by micro- and small-scale producers; these include our smallholder farmers, street food vendors, the traditional, open food markets’’
    She noted that these are important players whose activities fall within the informal sector, and they constitute a significant part of our national food supply.

    Prof Mojisola Adeyeye however, noted with dismay that their activities are of concern regarding safe food practices or lack of it.

    She added that these foods are frequently exposed to less than hygienic and sanitary conditions, resulting in contamination and leading to incidences and outbreaks of foodborne diseases, situations that are steadily becoming significant food safety concerns.
    The NAFDAC boss disclosed that unsafe foods are the cause of many diseases and contribute to other poor health conditions, such as impaired growth and development.

    ‘’We know that food safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring we have safer food for better health: from growers to processors, to transporters, sellers, buyers, and those who prepare or serve food. Policy makers, educational institutions and workplaces, as well as consumers are not left out; food safety is the responsibility of all. We must all work together to help achieve safer food for better health’.

    She said her ‘Call to Action’ on this occasion of World Food Safety Day goes out to four groups of stakeholders, namely policy makers and food regulators, food businesses, educational institutions and workplaces as well as the consumers.

    She urged policy makers and food regulators to design all public procurement of food, such as food aid, school feeding and other publicly owned food outlets, so that consumers can access safe and healthy foods. She added that they should support policy measures and legal frameworks to strengthen the national food safety system and ensure it complies with food safety standards and regulations.

    She however, urged them to encourage and engage in multisectoral collaboration at the local, national, regional, and global levels.

    Prof Adeyeye said food businesses should also engage employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to grow and develop a food safety culture; and comply with international and national food standards.

    Furthermore, Prof Adeyeye said educational institutions and workplaces should promote safe food handling as well as engage with families and involve them in food safety activities.

    Above all, Prof Adeyeye admonished consumers to practice safe food handling at home and follow the WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food: keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water and raw materials.

    She pointed out that NAFDAC as a key actor in the Nigerian food safety system has the responsibility to key into global best practices that ensure that food placed on the market for sale is safe, wholesome, nutritious and of good quality.

    ‘’We have seized the opportunity of the World Food Safety Day to put together this capacity building event for staff members, and I believe that it will provide an additional layer of awareness and knowledge on food safety as well as ensure a food safety culture that will go beyond the celebration of World Food Safety Day today, while making us true advocates of the consumption of safe foods, leading to improved health outcomes’’. (Flowerbudnews)