The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a strong warning to members of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) about the dangers of selling substandard drugs.
During a one-day sensitization event held in Abuja on Monday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, emphasized the importance of ensuring that only quality medical products are sold. Speaking on her behalf, Fraden Bitrus, the agency’s Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, highlighted the need for strict measures to combat the growing issue of falsified medical products in Nigeria.
Bitrus addressed the NAPPMED members, stressing their key role as healthcare providers within their communities. “The services you provide directly impact the welfare of your community,” he said. “It is essential to prioritize their well-being by sourcing and selling only high-quality, approved medical products.”
He also shared crucial strategies to help dealers avoid buying and selling counterfeit or substandard medicines. These strategies included sourcing products from reputable suppliers and ensuring that every product meets NAFDAC’s regulatory standards.
“To avoid falsified products, you must source correctly and verify compliance with NAFDAC regulations,” Bitrus advised, calling on the medicine dealers to join forces with NAFDAC to keep harmful drugs out of the market.
The event ended with a call to action, reminding participants of their responsibility to protect public health. “Let’s work together to ensure Nigeria has access to quality products,” Bitrus concluded, urging NAPPMED members to support NAFDAC’s efforts in safeguarding the nation’s drug supply.
The sensitization campaign aims to strengthen collaboration between NAFDAC and key players in the pharmaceutical industry, helping to ensure that only safe and effective drugs reach the public.
