NAFDAC Empowers Medicine Dealers To Fight Fake Drugs

By DIANA CHUKWUKA

THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has trained patent and proprietary medicine dealers on spotting, avoiding, and reporting suspicious, substandard, and unregistered medicines.

Dr. Festus Ukadike, NAFDAC’s South-East Zone Director, said the Enugu workshop on Wednesday was part of the agency’s Stakeholders’ Sensitisation programme for members of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Dealers (NAPPMEDS).

“Medicine dealers are often the first point of contact for Nigerians, especially in rural areas,” Ukadike noted, stressing their critical role in ensuring access to safe and high-quality healthcare products. He added that NAFDAC, which recently maintained its WHO maturity level 3 rating, remains committed to ensuring only effective and safe medicines reach consumers.

Dealers were urged to comply strictly with regulations and prioritize patient safety over profit.

NAPPMED Section-A chairman, Chief Oliver Ezemba, praised NAFDAC for the training and called for more capacity-building workshops. Section-B chairman, Mr. Chuks Osuji, vowed to enforce zero tolerance for fake or substandard medicines while collaborating with NAFDAC to maintain compliance.

The workshop covered post-market surveillance, proper medicine storage and distribution, and NAFDAC’s e-registration system (NAPAMS).