By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale
LAGOS—The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday directed all courier, airline and shipping companies to reject shipment of consignments without evidence of NAFDAC’s certification.

The agency has declared as mandatory the presentation of pre-shipment notification to NAFDAC for importation of all pharmaceutical products by eligible importers.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Mrs. Aishatu Okpa, gave the directive in Lagos at a workshop for couriers, airlines and shipping companies.

His said: “If these products are rejected by these courier companies and airlines on the basis of no evidence of NAFDAC certification and observed irregularities associated with the importation, the fake products will never leave the borders, airports and seaports of these overseas countries for Nigeria, described as worrisome the recent interception of massive consignment of fake drugs concealed in unaccompanied baggage at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Still lamenting the negative impact of these importations, Orhii, who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Mrs. Aishatu Okpa, regretted that most of the imported fake drugs were life-saving drugs meant for urgent medical intervention.

He said the workshop became necessary due to the critical role these organisations play in airfreight and sea freight of regulated products.

In his paper entitled, “Security of Cargo and Personnel within the Nigerian Ports Complex,” the Commissioner of  Police in Charge of the Ports,  Mr. Hillary Okwara said to check unwholesome development, the Ports Authority Police Command now screen private and official cars leaving the ports complex at any time of the day or night irrespective of the owners.