NAFDAC raises alarm over the rise in fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria, launching a sensitisation campaign to combat the menace.

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]AFDAC has raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria.

The agency, led by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, plans to combat this issue through aggressive sensitisation and stakeholder engagement, particularly targeting those involved in drug distribution.

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The campaign aims to educate healthcare providers and the public on identifying and avoiding counterfeit drugs.

The Director General of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has expressed deep concern over the escalating levels of fake, substandard, and falsified drugs circulating in Nigeria.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation campaign held at the Ibadan Business School in Oyo State’s capital, Ibadan, Adeyeye highlighted the grave implications these counterfeit drugs could have on public health.

Represented by the Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Roselyn Ajayi, Adeyeye emphasised that the consumption of fake and substandard products could lead to severe health consequences due to their potentially harmful effects on the human body.

She outlined NAFDAC’s strategy to tackle this growing menace, focusing on aggressive sensitisation and engagement with various stakeholders, particularly those involved in the distribution of healthcare products.

“Our survey has revealed a high prevalence of substandard and falsified products nationwide. This alarming trend has made it imperative for us to engage healthcare providers to discuss how we can reduce the spread of these dangerous medicines,” Adeyeye stated.

The campaign, according to NAFDAC, is a response to the increasing sophistication of counterfeiters, who are exploiting advancements in technology to create convincing fake products.

The agency’s approach includes educating the public and healthcare providers about the risks of substandard drugs and how to identify them.

The sensitisation efforts will extend beyond the campaign, with plans to engage religious and traditional leaders in advocacy visits.

The goal is to reach a broader audience, educating communities on the dangers of patronising sellers of fake and unwholesome products.

Adeyeye noted that pharmacists involved in the distribution of medicines were also brought in to discuss the challenges they face and to strategise on reducing the incidence of fake drugs to the barest minimum.

In a related development, Adebayo Gbadamosi, Chairman of the Oyo State Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, urged Nigerians to only patronise registered pharmacists to ensure they purchase genuine drugs.

He also advised the public to check for signs of authenticity, such as scratch-off labels, to verify the legitimacy of their medications.