NAFDAC Plans 10-Year Limit On Registration Of Imported Drugs
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it plans to place a 10-year limit on registration of imports on pharmaceuticals to encourage local drugs production.
The director general of NAFDAC, Prof Christianah Adeyeye, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting tagged: ‘A Date with the Director- General, NAFDAC,’ yesterday, in Lagos. The NAFDAC boss said that the agency would increase its vigilante activities and spot checks to ensure consistent quality of products.
“We have developed relevant guidelines and documents to enhance pharmacy vigilance and post marketing surveillance activities in the country.
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“This has been evidenced by the series of alerts issued by the agency in the face of threats as well as the recall of some products in the interest of public health,” she said.Adeyeye said that the agency remained undaunted in its efforts to reduce the incidence of substandard and falsified products, as well as the smuggling and abuse of various products.
“We are doing so many things to address the issue of drug abuse including laying an embargo on the importation of codeine through inspections and surveillance.
We are planning a nationwide campaign on drug abuse too. We’d be going to secondary schools to talk about the effect of drug abuse, this is going to be a yearly campaign.’’ Also speaking, Dr Okechukwu Akpa, chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) urged government to make the pharmaceutical industry a priority industry in the country.
Akpa said that the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry has the potential to play a major role in economic development, improve healthcare system, job creation and technological development.
“We are happy on the 10-year limit on registration of imports because it will help us manufacture more drugs, boost and be more commitment to Nigeria’s economy.
“Many countries such as India, China and Malaysia, are into making their drugs. That is one of the reasons they are growing economically and their health system are good.
“We are over 180 million in Nigeria and we keep increasing. Protecting our local drugs will help us provide job opportunities for Nigerians and also ensure the wellbeing of people,” he said.
Source: Leasdership News
