NAFDAC director cautions against fake and counterfeit medications.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raised alarms about the alarming prevalence of fake, substandard, and falsified drugs in Nigeria. Speaking at a sensitization campaign in Ibadan, represented by Zonal Director Roselyn Ajayi, she warned that such products could have severe negative effects on users’ health.

Adeyeye highlighted the need for aggressive awareness and engagement with stakeholders, particularly those involved in the distribution of healthcare products, to combat this issue. She noted that surveys indicate a high incidence of substandard drugs across the country, necessitating increased education for healthcare providers to mitigate this problem.

The agency plans to conduct further sensitization efforts, including advocacy visits to churches, mosques, and traditional leaders, to educate the public on avoiding substandard and fake products. The campaign is the first phase of broader efforts to tackle this growing threat, with pharmacists invited to share insights on identifying authentic medicines.

Adebayo Gbadamosi, chairman of the Oyo State Association of Community Pharmacists, urged the public to purchase medicines from registered pharmacists to ensure authenticity. He encouraged Nigerians to be vigilant and informed about drug authenticity, suggesting that the ability to verify products could help reduce the demand for counterfeit drugs.