The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to stakeholders across various sectors to strictly adhere to its regulatory provisions or face legal consequences.

The warning was delivered by the South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Dr. Festus Ukadike, during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization program held in Owerri, Imo State. The event brought together key representatives from various groups, including the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines (NAPPMED), Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Agro Input Dealers, and Imo State Modern Herbal Medicine Practitioners, among others.

Focus on Compliance for Public Health Safety

Dr. Ukadike emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that all regulatory products meet quality, safety, and efficacy standards. He reminded stakeholders that NAFDAC’s role as a regulator is to enforce compliance with established guidelines and practices.

Key Messages from Dr. Ukadike:

1. Strict Adherence to Regulations: NAFDAC insists that stakeholders must adhere to good hygiene, manufacturing practices, and regulatory standards.
2. Valid Registration Licenses: It is mandatory for all products to have valid registration licenses, and companies must maintain up-to-date records of their operations, procedures, and personnel.
3. Proper Storage and Distribution: Ensuring proper storage and distribution practices for goods is critical to maintaining product safety and integrity.
4. Avoid False Claims: Ukadike warned against promoting unrealistic claims about products, particularly those suggesting a single drug can cure multiple complex ailments like hypertension, diabetes, or asthma, which is contrary to scientific principles.
5. Registration of All Products: All products—whether food, medicine, or water—must be registered with NAFDAC before they are sold to the public. This includes everyday items like snacks, chin-chin, or fried plantains.

Dr. Ukadike further urged stakeholders to report any individuals or organizations failing to comply with NAFDAC’s regulations to the agency for immediate action. He stressed that non-compliance will lead to intensified enforcement efforts, including arrests and legal action against those involved in producing or distributing unregistered or unsafe products.

Stakeholder Collaboration to Combat Substandard Products

The Imo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mrs. Helen Okanya, noted that the sensitization meeting was part of a broader strategy to foster collaboration between NAFDAC and sectoral groups to address substandard medical products, issues with potable water, and poor hygiene practices.

She expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen product registration efforts, enhance information sharing, and improve the monitoring of the supply chain. This initiative aims to curb the sale and distribution of falsified and unsafe products.

Pharmacist Praises NAFDAC’s Efforts

In response to the sensitization session, Dr. Okey Unogu, a pharmacist, commended NAFDAC for creating a platform to discuss and address the challenges faced by the various stakeholder groups. He highlighted the importance of the agency’s efforts in promoting safe and effective products to safeguard public health.

Related Developments:

• NAFDAC Raises Alarm: NAFDAC recently raised concerns over the frequent importation of unregistered edible oils into Nigeria.
• Large-Scale Destruction of Fake Products: NAFDAC destroyed N20bn worth of counterfeit, expired, and banned products in Ibadan as part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate dangerous goods from the market.
• PWDAN Calls for NDDG Implementation: The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) to curb the rise of fake medicines in the country.

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Key Takeaways:

• NAFDAC is committed to enforcing strict regulations to ensure the safety of products in Nigeria.
• Stakeholders are urged to comply with NAFDAC’s guidelines, including product registration and good manufacturing practices.
• Non-compliance will result in sanctions, legal action, and increased enforcement from the agency.
• Collaboration between NAFDAC and various industry stakeholders is critical to eliminating unsafe and substandard products from the market.