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Tag: Moji Adeyeye

  • NAFDAC calls for inter-agency cooperation to curb drug abuse

    The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for cooperation among relevant agencies for effective control of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General (DG), NAFDAC, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye said that such cooperation would go a long way towards effectively tackling the different aspects of drug abuse among youths.

    “It is important for relevant agencies to work together to effectively tackle the problem of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.

    “There is a little boundary, for instance, between what the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) does and what NAFDAC does, and we work together.

    “There are some drugs that can be used licitly and can equally be used illicitly.

    “We are concerned with the licit use of such drugs while the NDLEA is concerned with the illicit use.

    Read Also: NAFDAC seizes N60m fake drugs

    “A drug like codeine is an expectorant medically, but when people consume more than the prescribed dosage, it becomes illicit.

    “For tramadol, its medical usage is at the rate of 50 to 100 milligrams, but the one they bring into the country is about 500 milligrams, which can fry anybody’s brain,” she said.

    The NAFDAC DG likened the menace of drug abuse to a war, which could affect generations of people.

    He, therefore, called for the cooperation of citizens in the fight against drug abuse.

    “Drug abuse among our youths is almost like a war, which could wipe out three generations if we are not careful.

    “While government is doing its bit to regulate and check importation of illicit drugs into the country, parents should also do their bit to control their children and wards from picking up such bad habits,” she advised.

    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC was also working with authorities in neighbouring countries like Benin Republic and Cameroon to check the importation of illicit and substandard drugs through their borders into Nigeria.

    She also suggested stiffer penalties against people who produced or imported fake and substandard food and drugs.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC warns against use of chemicals to bleach skin

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has advised Nigerians against the use of bleaching or “whitening” chemicals because they could result to cancer and kidney malfunction.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said her advice became necessary against the backdrop of the seizure of large quantity of whitening chemicals recently seized by NAFDAC in Lagos.

    “There are many people involved in these whitening chemicals, from glutathione injection to the tablets and other such chemicals.

    “ Sometimes last week, we got information that there were some people involved in these products at the Trade fair complex in Lagos and our Investigation and Enforcement team moved in and confiscated four trucks of glutathione.

    “We are concerned about glutathione because it can cause skin cancer as well as kidney dysfunction and failure; this is what people do not know.

    “ People should stop bleaching their skin; we should be black and proud. NAFDAC is on the spot to ensure that these dangerous products, which come in illegally are seized and destroyed,” she said.

    The NAFDAC boss, however, advised Nigerians dealing in genuine foods and chemical products to ensure that their products get tested and registered with the agency for safe consumption.

    “If importers know that their products are safe for consumption, they should always ensure to put them through our normal registration process and not pass through `shortcuts.’

    Read Also: NAFDAC blames high drug abuse on its removal from port

    “ We understand that not all unregistered products are bad, but Nigerians should always present their products for scrutiny. Some people just do not want scrutiny.”

    She called for interagency cooperation as well as synergy as effective means of stopping importation of illicit drugs to Nigeria.

    “Multi-agency cooperation and synergy will also go a long way toward addressing the issue of importation of some of these chemicals into Nigeria. Most of these chemicals come in from China.

    “I was in China recently and I have started mounting pressure on them to change their laws which allow them export products that are banned in their country to a place like Nigeria.

    “The Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministries, as well as other relevant government agencies can also make strong impact in that direction.”

  • NAFDAC vows to stake off police in chemical control

    Stakeholders in chemical marketing; distribution; and veterinary products have been assured that they will be treated fairly henceforth, while dealing with chemicals across the nation without experiencing further police harassment.

    Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Moji Adeyeye gave the assurance at a one-day stakeholders meeting tagged, “Meet NAFDAC DG”, in Lagos.

    Prof Adeyeye said the agency has been inundated by sundry complaints by the stakeholders of unauthorised personnel, especially the police, “So NAFDAC will be approaching the lawmakers to assist it in addressing the issue, as well as describing the line of action of every organ of government responsible for doing what. There is no multiple regulators over chemicals in Nigeria, it is solely NAFDAC’S.

    “We are not resting on our oars as we are repositioning the agency to do the right things. This agency does not exploit stakeholders but believes in due diligence”.

    To this end, “It is also worthy of note that chemical permits processing and authorisation is done electronically via the Single Window Trade Portal (www.trade.gov.ng/nafdac). Generally observed lapses include: untimely renewals of listing certificates, incomplete documentations e.g. inadequate Stock Cards and Utilisation Records, Safety Data Sheets without chemical compositions, illegible attachments to the portal, noncompliance to Good Warehousing Practice, to mention but a few,” she explained.

    The Director General added that the agency has developed an objective risk assessment method for chemicals wherein the hazard level and exposure rate is adequately evaluated and used to categorising the chemicals as either general or restricted, adding, “the demand for agricultural produce both in Nigeria and other countries is on the increase, however agricultural produce from Nigeria are still been rejected by importing countries as a result of high level of pesticides residues occasioned by misapplication of pesticides and agrochemicals”.

    Read Also: Canned sardine: NAFDAC warns against consumption of two brands

    Prof Adeyeye explained that the Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products Directorate was created as part of the restructuring effort by the Agency to give greater impetus to the regulation of pesticides and agrochemicals, expatiating that, the Directorate provides science-based advice on the safety, efficacy and quality of pesticide and agrochemicals, issuance of permit for bulk importation of pesticide, agrochemicals, fertilisers, listing of agrochemical marketer, GMP inspection of pesticides and agrochemical facilities and permit monitoring inspection

    “VMAP Directorate collaborates with research institutes in Nigeria to conduct field trial evaluation of new molecules (pesticides and agrochemicals) Bio-Fertilizer, Bio-Pesticides introduced into the country to ascertain the efficacy and safety of these products. The directorates collaborate with stakeholders and professionals to ensure appropriate use of pesticides and agrochemicals and should desist from using banned products, so Nigerian exported farm produce will no longer be rejected,” said Prof Adeyeye.

  • NAFDAC wants stiffer penalty for drug counterfeiters

     The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has proposed stiffer penalty for drug counterfeiters in the country to serve as deterrent to others.

    The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Moji Adeyeye made the call in Abuja on Monday while speaking with our reporters.

    Adeyeye noted that the provision of the law for drug offenders in the country prescribed weak penalty stressing the need for review of such law.

    She said that the agency had presented a bill to the National Assembly demanding for more punitive punishments for those involved in illicit and falsified drugs.

    Read Also: NAFDAC cautions against consumption of unwholesome foods

    “Fake and illicit drugs kill people and the judgment the offenders usually get is so insignificant when compared to the level of the offense committed.

    “Getting judgment of months or two years’ imprisonment is not enough.

    “We must do everything possible to get a law in place that will recommend stiffer penalty for drug counterfeiters” she said.

    The Director General noted that food and drugs were too important in human life to toy with.

    She pledged that NAFDAC would ensure that those dealing in fake and illicit drugs in the country would not go unpunished.

    Adeyeye said that the agency was more determined and committed than ever by putting necessary measures in place to save the life of the nation.

  • NAFDAC cautions against consumption of unwholesome foods

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday cautioned Nigerians against the consumption of unwholesome foods.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye gave the warning when she received a delegation from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of Abuja in her office.

    According to her, the rising cases of kidney problems in the country can be linked to the kind of foods people consume.

    “The traditional belief which people have that blood burns out some toxic element contained in foods after consumption is not true.

    “Sometimes, people underestimate the damage some food can cause to them;

    “That is why we are sensitizing Nigerians against the use of carbide to ripen fruits and other campaigns against unwholesome food products.

    “Apart from food and water, safety on drugs is equally very important; this features in the campaign against restricted drugs such as codeine and tramadol,’’ she said.

    Read Also: Drug Abuse: NAFDAC begins awareness

    Adeyeye said that the toxicological effects of drug abuse caused a lot of damage to people who took them.

    The director-general pledged to support the department, especially on research and on its forthcoming international conference.

    Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Florence Nwinyi said that they were at the NAFDAC office to invite the agency to participate in the upcoming international conference on “Toxicological Concerns in Developing Nations’’.

    Nwinyi said that the conference would hold from July 3 to July 6, by the university in collaboration with the West African Society of Toxicology.

    She said that the participation of NAFDAC was relevant because of its mandate in ensuring safety of food and drugs in the country.

    “Challenges and opportunities in the management of lead poisoning in developing countries is one of the issues that will be discussed during the conference.

    “We solicit NAFDAC’s support for the success of the conference,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC warns against misuse of TOPSTOXIN fumigation

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ), has warned the general public against misuse of TOPSTOXIN Fumigation tablets.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof.Moji Adeyeye, gave the warning in a statement she signed in Abuja on Monday.

    Adeyeye said the warning was necessary because TOPTOXIN fumigation contained Aluminum Phosphide which she said served as household insecticide but which could cause severe injuries and untimely death, when misused.

    According to her, the TOPSTOXIN Fumigation tablet is also used as agrochemical to control insects and rodents in stored grains.

    “Members of the public are advised to strictly follow the direction for use on the package label of Fumigation tablets to avoid injuries and untimely death.

    Read Also: NAFDAC advises consumers to shun carbide-treated fruits

    “We hereby advise the general public to desist from misuse of Topstoxin as fumigation in their homes and stores because it is injurious to health and could also cause untimely death.” she said.

    The director-general said NAFDAC was more determined and committed, than ever, to work to safeguard the health of the nation in accordance with its mandate.

  • I’ll enforce January, 2019 deadline for drug control centres – Prof. Adewole

    I’ll enforce January, 2019 deadline for drug control centres – Prof. Adewole

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Friday said he would start the enforcement of the Federal Government’s directive on drug control centres from January, 2019.

    Adewole said that this step would end the sales of drugs through the operations of drug marts in Nigeria.

    The minister spoke in Aba at the ground breaking ceremony of the Abia State Wholesale Control Centre ( CWC ) for drugs.

    He said that the final deadline for the enforcement had been fixed for January, 2019, saying that there would be no going back on the deadline.

    “There will be no going back on the January, 2019 deadline.

    “If we find anybody doing marketing or wholesale distribution in January, 2019, we will arrest and confiscate the product.

    “For those who nurse the dream that there will be another CWC in Abia State, they should wake up from the dream, because there will be no other one.

    “Please let us work together; do not write any petition to me again, because I will not read it and I will not do any business with the petition.

    “I learnt that those writing petitions are using the soldiers. I will use the Generals and not soldiers. I will use the Minister of Defence, so that we will enforce the order.

    “The directive came from the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform. We did not just wake up and say go to this place. It has presidential backing,’’ he said.

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, said he was glad that the centre was being set up to identify those genuine drug dealers and stop the circulation of fake drugs.

    The governor said the state government would ensure that all genuine drug dealers relocate to the centre on completion to create a safer drug distribution system in the state.

    Ikpeazu, represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu, said that Abia would provide the needed facilities for the centre to function optimally.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, said that the CWCs were meant to ensure regulated and organised drug distribution at four levels, with drug manufacturers at the apex.

    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC would play its role to make the policy to succeed, urging drug dealers to play by the rules of the law for safety.

    She was represented by Mr Ali Ibrahim, the Director, Pharmacovigilance and Post-marketing Surveillance.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC introduces new measures to encourage MSMEs

    NAFDAC introduces new measures to encourage MSMEs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) has introduced new measures to encourage Medium and Small Scale Enterprises ( MSMEs ) in doing business.

    Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, made the disclosure in Lafia at a workshop organised by NAFDAC for stakeholders and MSMEs on ‘Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’.

    Adeyeye, represented by Dr Jimoh Abubakar, Director of Special Duties in NAFDAC, said the aim of the workshop was to identify challenges stakeholders encountered in registering their​businesses and proffer solutions to them.

    Adeyeye acknowledged the importance of MSMEs to the Nigerian economy, adding that a vast majority of products manufactured by MSMEs were regulated by NAFDAC, which necessitated the one day workshop.

    “MSMEs play a vital role in the economic development of Nigeria and are known to be the main engine of economic growth. The importance of MSMEs to our economy cannot therefore be overemphasised.

    “A vast majority of products manufactured by MSMEs are regulated by NAFDAC.

    “The agency therefore plays a key role in ensuring that products manufactured by MSMEs comply with relevant quality and safety specifications before their approval, for distribution, sale and use,” she said.

    The director-general enumerated the new measures aimed at encouraging MSMEs as 50 per cent reduction in cost of registration of products for companies with five or fewer employees and reduction in registration timeline to 90 days.

    Others are establishment of Small Business Support Desk to guide small business through registration processes and electronic submission of documents to line directorates in Lagos

    Adeyeye also said the agency had initiated NAFDAC Product Registration Outreach to provide interactive engagement and advice on documentation, labelling and other requirements to facilitate the registration process.

    She noted that in spite the new measures, many MSMEs still perceived the NAFDAC registration process as cumbersome.

    “I assure you that NAFDAC will continue to engage our stakeholders in consultative meetings towards resolving all challenges faced by MSMEs.

    “I encourage you to seize the opportunity during the technical session to speak freely so that the objectives of this forum will be achieved,” the director-general said.

    Also, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, Zonal Coordinator of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, said the policy of the Muhammadu Buhari administration was to ensure MSMEs, as major non-oil revenue earners, were  viable.

    “The proliferation of MSMEs is on the increase and the need to address the bottlenecks encountered during processing of establishments products registration in the states,’’  she said.

    Dayilim  advised stakeholders and MSMEs to avoid sharp practices and to adhere strictly to NAFDAC regulations and guidelines so as to produce wholesome goods and efficacious products.

    In an address of welcome, Mr Micheal Attah, Nasarawa State Coordinator of NAFDAC, expressed hope and optimism that after the meeting all stakeholders would , understand each other better and work together.

    “The goal is to ensure your income increases, the economy of our dear country booms and the quality, standard and safety of your products are guaranteed for the health of all Nigerians,” he said.

    NAN