NAFDAC flags off drug tracking strategy to address fake medicines

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced a strategy to monitor medicines from manufacturers to patients.

The strategy tagged ‘Nigeria Pharmaceutical Traceability Strategy’ is aimed at eradicating fake medicines.

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Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the strategy would ensure improved efficiency in the pharmaceutical supply chain and also improve patient safety while safeguarding the health of the nation.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Traceability Steering Committee, in Abuja, Prof Adeyeye said the challenge of the chaotic pharmaceutical supply chain in the country necessitated the adoption of innovative approaches such as the traceability strategies, and complementary partnership to disrupt the cycle of wastages from expired commodities, shortages, infiltration of substandard and falsified products, among others in the health sector.

She said the falsification and diversion of health commodities often led to serious health and economic consequences.

Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire said the adverse reactions to medicines represent serious health problems in Nigeria and globally.

The Director of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, Lawal Mashood, urged members of the committee to work as a team to ensure that the country achieved harmonised implementation of global standards.

The committee is expected to achieve some deliverables as outlined in the terms of reference, amongst them the successful implementation of track and trace using already built international supply channels such as USAID and Global Fund, as a scalable model.