…Stakeholders Pledge Support for Safer, Innovative Healthcare Delivery

By Chioma Obinna

In a decisive move to curb the menace of fake and substandard medical products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday unveiled three major healthcare initiatives: the NAFDAC Greenbook, the Pharmaceutical Products Traceability Regulation 2024, and the Paediatric Regulation 2024.

The initiatives were introduced during a two-day sensitisation workshop held in the North-West Zone, where stakeholders from across the healthcare and regulatory spectrum gathered to discuss strategies for improving drug safety and patient outcomes in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, Fraden Bitrus, described the prevalence of substandard and falsified (SF) medical products as “the worst inhumanity of man to fellow men.”

He emphasized that the new regulatory tools are geared toward arming both healthcare professionals and consumers with digital and policy-based solutions to identify and eliminate fake products from the supply chain.

The Greenbook, according to Bitrus, is a digital platform that enables consumers to verify the authenticity of medical products by searching by product name, brand, or registration number.

“If a product is listed in the Greenbook, it signifies that it has been registered and approved by NAFDAC and is deemed authentic,” Bitrus explained.

He added that the Greenbook is not only a tool for transparency but a powerful resource for consumer protection, as it helps users avoid dangerous or substandard products.

Another highlight of the event was the introduction of the Pharmaceutical Products Traceability Regulation 2024, a cutting-edge initiative that mandates the use of unique identifiers on all pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Adeyeye, in her remarks, revealed that Nigeria is the first country in Africa and the second globally to adopt such a robust traceability system.

“This technology enables real-time tracking of drugs across the supply chain, allowing quick detection and rejection of fake products,” she said.

She cited the success of the system during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it enabled the swift recall of defective vaccine batches within 24 hours.

Also launched was the Paediatric Regulation 2024, which is tailored to meet the unique medical needs of children.

“This new policy complements existing frameworks to ensure that children receive safe, effective, and high-quality medicines,” Adeyeye stated.

She called on all stakeholders to adopt and champion the new policies, describing the launch as a collective call to action in the fight against fake medicines.

In response, stakeholders from regulatory and health institutions expressed full support for the initiatives.

Speaking through a representative, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Dr. Ibrahim Babashiu Ahmed, commended NAFDAC and urged participants to put the knowledge gained into practice to improve patient safety.

“We will work together to ensure that these regulations translate into better health outcomes for Nigerians,” he said.

President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, Prof. Ekanem Ekure, lauded NAFDAC for its focus on children’s health, stating:

“We call on all stakeholders to support NAFDAC in this laudable effort to protect our future generation.”

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) also pledged stronger collaboration with NAFDAC in eradicating hazardous products from the market.

“We will intensify enforcement and ensure violators are brought to justice,” affirmed its General Manager.

The workshop, which marks the beginning of a nationwide awareness campaign, is expected to catalyze improved regulation, public participation, and healthcare outcomes across the country.