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  • JUST IN: NAFDAC Begins Testing Of Indomie Noodles, Gives Reason

    JUST IN: NAFDAC Begins Testing Of Indomie Noodles, Gives Reason

     

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Nigeria said it would commence the random sampling of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning from the production facilities and the markets tomorrow (Tuesday).

    NAFDAC also said the importation of Indomie noodles into Nigeria had been banned for many years and the products were on the prohibition list.

    This is following the detection of a compound called ethylene oxide, a potentially cancer-causing substance in Indomie’s “special chicken” flavour noodles by health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan.

     

    Both Malaysia and Taiwan have recalled the product.

     

    Meanwhile, the makers of Indomie noodles, Indofod, defended the safety of its products, saying all instant noodles produced by the ICBP in Indonesia were processed in compliance with the food safety standards from the Codex Standard for Instant Noodles and standards set by the Indonesian National Agency for Drug and Food Control.

     

    “ICBP has exported instant noodles to various countries around the world for more than 30 years.

     

    The company continuously ensures that all of its products are in compliance with the applicable food safety regulations and guidelines in Indonesia as well as other countries where the ICBP’s instant noodles are marketed,” a press statement by Indofood read in part.

    According to the National Cancer Institute, ethylene oxide is a flammable colourless gas with a sweet odour at room temperature

    It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including antifreeze. In smaller amounts, ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilising agent. The ability of ethylene oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilising agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity,” the institute said.

     

    Indomie is a brand of instant noodles produced by the Indonesian company, Indofood and Nigeria is one of the biggest consumers of instant noodles.

     

    Indomie is also exported to more than 90 countries around the world.

     

    Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye told The PUNCH on Monday that the agency has started investigating and responding immediately to the news of the recalled Indomie noodles by Taiwan and Malaysia authori

    ties.

     

     

  • NAFDAC solicits stakeholders, public cooperations to rid country of hazardous pesticides

    NAFDAC solicits stakeholders, public cooperations to rid country of hazardous pesticides

    By Aderogba George

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is soliciting the cooperation of stakeholders and the general public to rid the country of hazardous pesticides.
    The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in a Statement issued to newsmen by its resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, on Sunday in Abuja.
    According to her, pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and for crop protection.
    Adeyeye said that pesticides are sometimes impregnated in textiles, paints, carpets, and treated wood to control pests and fungi.
    She said what was worrisome was the toxicity associated with the misuse and abuse of pesticides as it affected food safety and food security.
    According to her, the toxicity of pesticides is managed through stringent regulatory activities to reduce severe health implications on humans, crops, and the environment.
    She disclosed that this could be achieved through awareness and continual sensitisation of stakeholders on the dangers posed by these pesticides.
    Adeyeye said that the dangers posed by pesticides were of immense concern to the agency and that there had been recent concerns from stakeholders about this dangers
    “The report of the study conducted by Heinrich Boll Foundation; a Non-Governmental Organization, that claimed that 40 per cent of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the EU.
    “There was also an alert received from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), cautioning on the possibility that the European Union and United Kingdom were exporting banned Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Nigeria and other poorer countries.
    “Emphasis was placed on Chlorpyrifos and its variants due to their harmful effects on humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment.
    “The mandate of NAFDAC as established by Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 is to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, detergent and others.
    “This necessitated the review and analysis of the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database (NARPAD) vis-à-vis actives banned, non-approved.
    “The outcome of the review was shared with stakeholders at a three-day virtual stakeholders’ engagement held on the 22nd, 24th, and 29th of November 2022,” she stressed.
    Adeyeye said that the core function of the agency of safeguarding the health of the nation was so paramount to the agency.
    She disclosed that the reviewed meeting focused much on the proposed phase-out/ban of these active ingredients and it had in attendance, proponent holders of marketing authorizations and NGOs.
    Others, she mentioned in the statement, were All Farmers Association of Nigeria, CropLife Nigeria, Nigeria Agro-Input Dealers Association, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as research institutes.
    According to her, at the end of the meeting, it was agreed that Pesticide and agrochemical importers and manufacturers would be advised to institute stewardship plans such as Post Marketing Surveillance and research in their companies.
    Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC would  collaborate with research institutes in the conduct of research and scientific data generation on pesticides to enable the agency make evidence-based decisions and policies.
    She said that NAFDAC would also intensify Post-Marketing Surveillance

    nationwide, adding that there would be continual sensitization and education of relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
    The D-G disclosed that NAFDAC would  engage with other sister agencies like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
    Other organisations the agency would engage with are the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
    She said that the engagement was to ensure synergy in the regulation of pesticide and agrochemical products.
    The NAFDAC boss said that this is in addition to the Ban of Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos, and Atrazine with effective dates from 1st January 2024, 1st November 2024, and 1st January 2025 respectively.
    She said that the agency had also initiated the action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients and the reclassification of four others.
    The D-G said that the availability of alternatives in the country were put into consideration to ensure that stakeholders, most especially farmers, will not be affected by the decisions taken.
    NAN

     

  • Institute lauds NAFDAC for prompt action on indomie ‘special chicken flavour’ noodles

    Institute lauds NAFDAC for prompt action on indomie ‘special chicken flavour’ noodles

    By Abujah Racheal

    The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the prompt intervention on the imported Indomie ‘special chicken flavour’ noodles

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu in Abuja.

    Aliyu’s statement followed ongoing investigations and analysis by NAFDAC in respect of Indomie Instant Noodles in Nigeria.

    This followed the news of the recall of Indomie instant noodles (special chicken flavour) by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities on the alleged presence of ”ethylene oxide”, a compound associated with increased cancer risk.

    Aliyu said that the institute  will be collaborating with NAFDAC to ensure safety of Nigerians.

    “NICRAT is deeply worried that, if found that some brands of Indomie noodles contain ethylyne oxide, then, Nigerians should expect an escalation of various forms of cancers in the months or years ahead, depending on how long people have consumed that brand.

    “More worrisome, is that Nigerians should also expect an increase in cancer cases among children because Indomie noddles is a popular food among most Nigerian children.

    “Our in-depth review of ethylyne oxide indicates that it is a highly reactive chemical that is used as a raw material to make other compounds such as glycol ethers and polyglycol ethers, as well as a range of emulsifiers, detergents, and solvents.

    “Ethylene oxide is also widely used as a fumigant for cleaning culinary goods, including spices,” he stated.

    He noted with concern the fact that cancer has claimed a lot of lives in Nigeria.

    In 2020 alone, he said, 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of cancer-related complications (34,200 males and  44,699 females).

    He, therefore, advised Nigerians to obey NAFDAC’s instructions on the ban and consumption of Indomie Instant Noodles ‘Special Chicken Flavour’.

    NAN reports that NAFDAC reaffirmed the ban on importation of Indomie noodles into the country.

    NAN reports that NAFDAC began random sample tests of the noodles and other brands on Tuesdat.

    NAFDAC’s food safety and applied nutrition directorate is to randomly sample Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) from the production facilities while post-marketing surveillance directorate (will) samples from the market.

    NAN reports that NAFDAC said ethylene oxide   is on the prohibition list of the federal government

    NAN

     

  • NAFDAC solicits stakeholders, public cooperations to rid country of hazardous pesticides

    NAFDAC solicits stakeholders, public cooperations to rid country of hazardous pesticides

    Flowerbudnews
    By Aderogba George
    Abuja: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is soliciting the cooperation of stakeholders and the general public to rid the country of hazardous pesticides.
    The agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in a Statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
    According to her, pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and for crop protection.
    Adeyeye said that pesticides are sometimes impregnated in textiles, paints, carpets, and treated wood to control pests and fungi.
    She said what was worrisome was the toxicity associated with the misuse and abuse of pesticides as it affected food safety and food security.
    According to her, the toxicity of pesticides is managed through stringent regulatory activities to reduce severe health implications on humans, crops, and the environment.
    She disclosed that this could be achieved through awareness and continual sensitisation of stakeholders on the dangers posed by these pesticides.
    Adeyeye said that the dangers posed by pesticides were of immense concern to the agency and that there had been recent concerns from stakeholders about this dangers
    “The report of the study conducted by Heinrich Boll Foundation; a Non-Governmental Organization, that claimed that 40 per cent of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the EU.
    “There was also an alert received from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), cautioning on the possibility that the European Union and United Kingdom were exporting banned Neonicotinoid Pesticides to Nigeria and other poorer countries.
    “Emphasis was placed on Chlorpyrifos and its variants due to their harmful effects on humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment.
    “The mandate of NAFDAC as established by Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 is to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, detergent and others.
    “This necessitated the review and analysis of the list of registered pesticide and agrochemical active ingredients in the NAFDAC Registered Product Automated Database (NARPAD) vis-à-vis actives banned, non-approved.
    “The outcome of the review was shared with stakeholders at a three-day virtual stakeholders’ engagement held on the 22nd, 24th, and 29th of November 2022,” she stressed.
    Adeyeye said that the core function of the agency of safeguarding the health of the nation was so paramount to the agency.
    She disclosed that the reviewed meeting focused much on the proposed phase-out/ban of these active ingredients and it had in attendance, proponent holders of marketing authorizations and NGOs.
    Others, she mentioned in the statement, were All Farmers Association of Nigeria, CropLife Nigeria, Nigeria Agro-Input Dealers Association, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as research institutes.
    According to her, at the end of the meeting, it was agreed that Pesticide and agrochemical importers and manufacturers would be advised to institute stewardship plans such as Post Marketing Surveillance and research in their companies.
    Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC would  collaborate with research institutes in the conduct of research and scientific data generation on pesticides to enable the agency make evidence-based decisions and policies.
    She said that NAFDAC would also intensify Post-Marketing Surveillance nationwide, adding that there would be continual sensitization and education of relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
    The D-G disclosed that NAFDAC would  engage with other sister agencies like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
    Other organisations the agency would engage with are the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.
    She said that the engagement was to ensure synergy in the regulation of pesticide and agrochemical products.
    ?
    The NAFDAC boss said that this is in addition to the Ban of Paraquat, Chlorpyrifos, and Atrazine with effective dates from 1st January 2024, 1st November 2024, and 1st January 2025 respectively.
    She said that the agency had also initiated the action plan for the ban/phase-out of 12 active ingredients and the reclassification of four others.
    The D-G said that the availability of alternatives in the country were put into consideration to ensure that stakeholders, most especially farmers, will not be affected by the decisions taken. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews
  • NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians of life-endangering PrimeZEN Male Enhancement Capsules

    NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians of life-endangering PrimeZEN Male Enhancement Capsules

    Flowerbudnews

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja(Flowerbudnews): NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye has warned Nigerians to beware of PrimeZEN Black 6000 male enhancement capsules.

    Prof Adeyeye disclosed in an official alert that the product had been recalled due to the presence of life-endangering undeclared ingredients.

    In the Public Alert No. 015/2023, the NAFDAC Boss informed the public that ”Volt Candy is voluntarily recalling one lot of PrimeZen Black 6000, 2000 mg capsule, to the consumer level”.

    Prof Adeyeye said that the ”recall is following an FDA analysis which found PrimeZen Black 6000 capsules to contain undeclared ingredients (tadalafil and sildenafil). Sildenafil and tadalafil are phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitors found in FDA-approved products for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

    ”The presence of sildenafil and tadalafil in PrimeZen Black 6000 capsules renders them unapproved drugs for which safety and efficacy have not been established and, therefore, subject to recall.

    PrimeZen Black 6000 capsules containing sildenafil and tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may cause a significant drop in blood pressure that may be life-threatening. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. Among the adult male population who are most likely to use these products, adult males who use nitrates for cardiac conditions are most at risk from these products.

    Product details:
    The details of the product are as follows;
    Product Name: PrimeZEN Black 6000 male enhancement capsules
    Product Manufacturer: Volt Candy, 324 S. Diamond Bar Blvd #212, USA.
    Lot Number: NPINPB 1003
    UPC code: 728175521891
    Expiration Date: Aug. 16, 2025

    PrimeZen Black 6000 is marketed online as a dietary supplement for male enhancement and is packaged in a blister card with one capsule.

    The product can be identified by the card color in black with the name on it PrimeZen Black 6000.

    The NAFDAC DG implored members of the public in possession of the above product to stop the sale or use of the product and handover product to the nearest NAFDAC office.

    ”If you have this falsified product, please DO NOT use it. If you, or someone you know, have used the product, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional”, Prof Adeyeye counsels the public.

    She urged Healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of adverse drug reaction, substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

    ”Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng”, the NAFDAC DG advised.

    Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng (Flowerbudnews)

  • Group urges NAFDAC to sensitise members against unhealthy practices

    Group urges NAFDAC to sensitise members against unhealthy practices

    Flowerbudnews

     

    By Stanley Nwanosike

    Enugu:.  The Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) has urged the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to assist it to sensitise its members against exposing table and sachet water to unhealthy practices.

    The Enugu State Chairman of ATWAP, Mr Tony Edike, made the appeal while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday on the challenges being faced by ATWAP members.

    Edike, who noted some unhealthy practices by table water distributors and retailers in the state, said that the negative practices were on the storage of water products.

    “We have noticed that packaged water products are exposed to excruciating sun or kept on bare floors usually in front of shops from where they are sold to consumers.

    “This affects the taste of the packaged water which is not healthy for consumers as the products could be easily contaminated.

    “We wish to appeal to NAFDAC to partner with our association in conducting periodic sensitisation and seminars for water dealers and retailers in major cities of the state.

    “With this, we can enlighten all the water producing business owners and its value-chain and service providers on best practices to stem the danger of consuming unhealthy packed water,” he said.

    The chairman also solicited NAFDAC continued partnership in the association’s efforts to sanitise the operation of its members.

    “This will help the association to ensure strict compliance to guiding rules of producing table water in the state, as my team has already commenced a self-examination of members in this regard.

    Edike said that his executive since coming into office in November 2022 had continued and “still doing regular sensitisation of members to always maintain standard operating procedures as outlined by NAFDAC”.

    The chairman also decried the recent rising cost of production of packaged water, adding that the various items needed for the production had witnessed an increase in price recently.

    Edike said that it is becoming very difficult for its members to maintain production and meet up with customer demand under the current high cost of production.

    “We are appealing to our esteemed customers and the public that very soon the price might be reviewed and there will certainly be a slight adjustment to current price per unit,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NAFDAC arrests manufacturer of unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan

     

    NAFDAC arrests manufacturer of unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan

    By Olatunde Ajayi

    National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Friday, arrested the manufacturer of an unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan.

    Director, South-West zone of NAFDAC, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, disclosed this while conducting newsmen round the premises of the factory, Oladem Company Limited, in Ibadan.

    Ajayi said that the manufacturer could not produce any evidence of registration of the product, christened: At-Taqwah Multipurpose Herbal Medicine, with NAFDAC before embarking on mass production.

    She said that following a tip-off, the agency swung into action immediately by sending surveillance officers to the location, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

    Ajayi said that the agency had placed the production of the herbal product on hold and sealed the premises due to its unhealthy state.

    “We have to follow the due process for registration of any of NAFDAC-regulated product of which herbal products happened to be one.

    “We have three stages to get a product registered with NAFDAC, which include documentation with payment, inspection and laboratory analysis.

    “Also, a sample of the product will be drawn to a laboratory to ascertain its chemical and microbiology components, if it meets specification before approval,” she said.

    Ajayi said that the suspect had yet to apply to NAFDAC for necessary administrative procedures before embarking on mass production of the drug.

    “He has not even applied because he knows that no inspection officer will certify a product produced in that kind of a premises.

    “The sanitary condition of the premises is poor and the premises is not satisfactory for production of anything for human consumption,” she said.

    The NAFDAC director stated that the agency had different penalties for different categories of violators.

    According to her, the suspect’s offence is criminal and he will be handed over to the enforcement directorate of the agency.

    She advised Nigerians to be careful about the herbal medicine they consumed, especially those with multi-purpose healing claims.

    The suspect, while answering questions from newsmen, claimed that the herbal product was multi-purpose and that that worked for fever, malaria, body pain and hypertension.

    Ajao said that he had started the production and distribution of the product to different parts of the country since the past five years.

    According to him, the product is made from tobacco leaves and other local materials.

    The suspect, who said that he had not gone for any training on herbal medicine production, added that he inherited the production process from his parents. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • NAFDAC raids hawkers’ outlets, seizes products worth over N2m

    NAFDAC raids hawkers’ outlets, seizes products worth over N2m

    By Moses Omorogieva

    Lagos: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it seized products worth more than N2 million at hawkers’ and illegal drug sellers’ outlets in some parts of Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Afolabi Aderemi, Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, Lagos State, made the disclosure on Friday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Aderemi said that the seizures were made during operations by NAFDAC personnel on Thursday evening at Mile 2, Ajegunle and Apapa areas of Lagos State.

    He said that although there were no arrests, the agency was satisfied at the seizures since its main concern was to ensure that illegal and fake products were out of circulation.

    According to Aderemi, the hawkers, who are always at alert of NAFDAC’s constant raids, escaped, leaving their wares behind.

    He said that the raid was continuous.

    “We have counselled members of the public to stop patronising hawkers in buying drugs, as what they are selling are not NAFDAC-approved,’’ he said.

    The official said that a number of such hawkers had been arrested and profiled.

    “ We want to know those behind them.

    “We noticed that anytime we go out for raids, for about two weeks or more, the hawkers will not be found in such areas, but after sometime, they will reappear.

    “We want to block their products from members of the public. If there is no supply, there would be no demand.

    “Members of the public should go to registered pharmaceutical stores for drugs,” he advised.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC seeks robust collaboration with NCS, DSS, others at ports

    NAFDAC seeks robust collaboration with NCS, DSS, others at ports

    By Aderogba George

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is seeking collaboration with the Nigeria Custom Services (NCS), Department of State Security and others to promote Nigerian goods abroad.
    The call for the collaboration is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the agency’s resident media consultant, Olusayo Akintola, in Abuja on Sunday.
    The statement quoted NAFDAC Director-General (DG), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, as saying that the collaboration would reduce frequent rejection of Nigerian food exported to Europe and the United States of America.
    The statement disclosed that Adeyeye made the assertion at the official commissioning of the New NAFDAC Office complex for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
    Adeyeye lamented that over 70 per cent of food exported from Nigeria are rejected abroad with huge financial losses to the exporters and the country at large.
    She disclosed that the deplorable state of export trade facilitation for regulated products leaving the country has continued to be a serious cause for concern for NAFDAC.
    Adeyeye said that a trip to NAFDAC export warehouses within the international airport would explain unequivocally the major reason for the continuous rejection of Nigerian exports abroad.
    The DG stated that the agency was responding to this great challenge, hence the initiation of a collaborative adventure with the government agencies at the ports towards ensuring that goods are of requisite quality.
    She said that the collaboration would ensure that goods from Nigeria meet the regulatory requirements of the importing countries and destinations before such are even packaged and hauled to the ports for shipment.
    According to her, this raises the need for a more enhanced regulation of export-packaging, pre-shipment testing and certification to provide some quality assurance and to minimize rejection.
    Adeyeye said that this would also save the country’s reputation in international commerce, while calling on stakeholders in the export trade to see this as a call to duty and collaborate with NAFDAC.
    She said that the collaboration was for the sake of the country’s image and future.
    “The mandate to safeguard the health of the populace through ensuring that food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and packaged water are safe and efficacious, and are of the right quality.
    “This could never have been actualised without effective presence of NAFDAC at the ports and land borders.
    ‘’Our push through the resilience of the past Director, Prof Samson Adebayo, on assumption of duties, for the immediate return of NAFDAC to the ports also assisted a lot.
    “With gratitude for the approval of the President and the various arms of the Government, the results of our presence at the ports are available for everyone to see,” Adeyeye stressed.
    She, however, commended NCS for the symbiotic relationship that exists between its management and the agency, saying ‘’without customs, we will not be able to do a lot of what we are doing.”
    Adeyeye noted that the collaboration between customs and NAFDAC was a huge one, adding that NAFDAC is a complex organisation which work with different organisation.
    She disclosed that NAFDAC is a scientific agency which works with the police, DSS, Interpol, FBI because of the few unscrupulous elements.
    According to her, considering the money spent on getting those products out of the country, it is a double loss for both the exporter and the country.
    Adeyeye said that without the police

    NAFDAC cannot do much in terms of investigation and enforcement, adding that the agency has over 80 policemen working with it.
    The DG said that the agency had embarked on the optimization and customisation of its processes, stating that the Ports Inspection Data-Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS) had been deployed to the ports and land borders.
    She said that they were deployed to automatically capture and process data for imported regulated products from the Nigeria Customs Information System (NICIS).
    Adeyeye said that the agency was also working assiduously with relevant stakeholders towards implementation of Traceability for pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.
    She recalled that a Traceability Pilot was conducted successfully for COVID-19 Vaccines distribution and a scale-up is being done as soon as feasible, for medicines and other regulated products.
    ‘’The Traceability Information System was developed from PIDCARMS, which underscores the integrative system of NAFDAC.
    “These efforts will further boost our regulatory oversight in monitoring the importation and distribution of medicines to ensure that spurious, substandard, and falsified (fake and counterfeit) products are minimised from our supply chain.
    ‘’Similarly, our Post-marketing Surveillance initiatives that involve the Ports Inspection Directorate are gaining global recognition, and we intend to do much more for our nation, especially for future generations.”
    She stated that the agency had extended the frontiers of the fight against substandard products through the procurement of more Truscan devices to check for quality of products at the ports, shops, market spaces and anywhere else.
    According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC is a customer-focused and agency minded organisation under her leadership. It has ‘’steadily engaged in improving service delivery in the course of carrying out its mandate as provided by NAFDAC Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.”
    She said these efforts have paid off as NAFDAC has recently been recognized as a world class regulator, with the conferment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) ML3 Status.
    NAN