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Tag: NAFDAC

  • Drug Abuse: NAFDAC begins awareness

    In an effort to address the menace of Drug abuse, such as abuse of codeine and other substance, the National Agency for Food And Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has enlisted the support of Religious Leaders and Clerics in the North West and North East zones to convey messages to their congregation on drug abuse during the Ramadan Sermons (Tafsirs) in the various mosques.

    The agency said the Ramadan drug abuse enlightenment campaign in mosques would be held across thirteen (13) States in the two zones.

    According to the Director General,  NAFDAC Prof Mojisola Adeyeye in statement said the period affords the clerics the opportunity to educate the Youths by disseminating information on the effects of codeine, tramadol and other abused substance.

    “Nigerians may wish to recall that recently, the Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Health announced the ban on codeine production and NAFDAC has also placed an embargo on the issuance and renewal of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparation. These actions became necessary due to the gross abuse and widespread addiction” she said.

    She also said it has deployed strategies like intensive public awareness and sensitization campaign, drug demand reduction campaign, increased enforcement and improved collaboration with sister agencies to address this menace

    She further said NAFDAC State Governments in the zones should endeavour to establish drug abuse control committees in view of the high and growing rate of drug abuse amongst Youths in both the rural and urban areas, considering the Youth as the best resource of the regions.

    “The committees are to prevent the proliferation of drug abuse and psychotropic substances among the Youth in addition to other activities that will reduce and eliminate drug abuse in the zones,” she stated.

  • NAFDAC returns to seaports, borders

    THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has returned to the seaports and borders.

    This is to effectively control importation of unregulated products, falsified and substandard drugs, unwholesome foods, narcotic drugs and hazardous chemical substances and foods.

    According to its director-general, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the move was in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and with the active support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Ministry of Transport .

    Prof. Adeyeye said NAFDAC received the notice yesterday,  in a letter dated March 29, 2018, from the office of Vice President, as part of the PEBEC reforms.

    Prof.  Adeyeye said thousands of Nigerians have died as a result of falsified and substandard medicines.

    She said: “Many are currently ill, most likely due to unwholesome foods, drugs and abuse of narcotics and controlled substances, such as codeine, tramadol, pentazocine, etc. These are partly due to exclusion of NAFDAC from our ports since 2011. The recent documentary on codeine abuse brought more attention to the issue.”

    The NAFDAC boss added that aside from the dangers posed to public health, involvement of Nigerian youths in abuse of drugs weakens national growth, economy and nation-building as a result of accompanied side effects of abuse, i.e., disruption of life goals, ideals and families.

    “Moreover, the threat to national security, due to criminality and terrorism that often result from such abuse is obvious,” she said.

    The agency hailed the Office of the NSA, the Chemical Society of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN) and other key stakeholders for recognising NAFDAC as a key player in the national security architecture as well as restoring the presence of its officials at designated ports of entry and land borders.

    “Our agency will work with the Nigerian Customs Service, the Shippers Council and other sister agencies in ensuring that foods, drugs, chemicals and other NAFDAC regulated products that pose danger to our population are controlled at the point of entry. NAFDAC at the ports will ensure that dangerous drugs or substances of abuse, many times falsely shipped as building materials, electrical appliances, computer accessories, etc. will be intercepted at the point of entry,” said Prof. Adeyeye.

     

     

    She said, in addition, the presence of NAFDAC at the ports and borders will reduce significantly the evasion of payments of statutory fees for importation of regulated products, thus increasing the agency’s internally generated revenue and that of the Federal Government.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NAFDAC reopens Emzor Pharmaceutical firm

    •Firm gives police details on absconded worker      •’We assure Nigerians of quality products’

    Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has been reopened by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    The firm also stated that it had submitted to the police information about its absconded worker that was featured in the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary, “Sweet sweet codeine”.

    The firm’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Stella Okoli, spoke in Lagos yesterday on the reopening of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Liquid factory.

    Dr. Okoli expressed pain that one of its products – Emzolyn with Codeine, a therapeutic product, made for the relief of a specific illness, has been turned into a substance of abuse.

    She added that the menace of drug abuse is a national concern and everybody should be concerned, adding that all hands should be on deck to arrest the situation.

    She said her company, Emzor, would seek to make relevant and impactful contributions to the multi-agency discussions on the way forward, especially from the limited depiction of rehabilitation efforts represented in the BBC programme.

    “As a parent and especially a mother, I am deeply saddened by the problem of drug abuse and its damaging effect on our children and youths. We follow good manufacturing practice (GMP) here at Emzor, and NAFDAC officials from the investigation and enforcement directorate, conducted an inspection of our factory and were given full access to all the records they requested.  We are happy to announce that after carrying out all necessary due diligence, NAFDAC has now reopened the factory,” said . Okoli.

    The Director-General Duties, Human Resources and Finance, Mrs. Uzoma Ezeoke said the company has built trust among its consumers across the country, and continent based on proper internal regulatory, and professional certifications for manufacturing, and human resources.

    “Every site we operate has GMP certificate issued and every product meets required specifications. The spate of drug abuse is really worrisome. It is a social ill. Many substances are being abused and everybody has a role to play. It is unfortunate that Emzor is in the spectacle among the three companies in the documentary,” said Mrs, Ezeoke.

    Mrs Ezeoke affirmed that all sanctions issued by NAFDAC have been adhered to and it is gladdening that the Liquid factory has been reopened.

     

     

     

     

  • Codeine: NAFDAC reopens firms indicted in syrup distribution

    • Asks Emzor to declare indicted sales rep wanted

    The National Agency for Food, and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday lifted the shutdown order on three pharmaceutical companies closed on May 7 for production of codeine cough syrups.

    The affected firms are: Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd Lagos; Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    NAFDAC’s Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement, gave the directive following meetings with the companies and its directorates of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), Drug Evaluation Research (DER) and Narcotics and Controlled Substances (NCS).

    She also stated the affected companies have been charged administrative fees “commensurate with the respective violations.”

    The agency also ordered immediate stoppage of codeine syrups until further notice while investigations continue.

    “Therefore, the hold placed on the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the already made codeine syrups stands. NAFDAC will monitor the compliance.

    “All codeine products are to be recalled and the process verified through audit trail verified by NAFDAC

    “Embargo has been placed on new applications for permit or renewals for the importation of codeine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations- NAFDAC will not issue any permit until further notice.”

    NAFDAC said it would hold a stakeholders meeting on the codeine crisis in a few days to develop a road map for the supply chain distribution and the future of codeine syrup manufacturing.

    The agency also noted that the stakeholders meeting was in line with the Minister of Health pronouncements in his press release on the codeine crisis.

    NAFDAC also directed Emzor pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd to arrest the sales representative indicted in the BBC documentary or declare him wanted for investigation.

     

  • Codeine: NAFDAC shuts Emzor, two Ilorin firms

    THREE pharmaceutical firms including Emzor have been shut by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) for failimg to cooperate with the agency in the investigation into the Codeine syrup crisis.

    The others are Ilorin-based Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited and Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited.

    All the firms were implicatyed in the codeine syrup crisis and NAFDAC said the decision to shut them down was taken following findings from investigations and inspections at the companies.

    A statement by NAFDAC DG Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said “Due to insufficient evidence gathered and apparent resistance to provide needed documents during our inspection on May 2, 2018 at the respective companies in Ilorin and Lagos, it has become necessary to shut down all product lines of the three companies – Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Limited. Plots 3 & 8, Adewole Industrial Estate, Lubcon Avenue, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited. No 405 Kaima Road, Ilorin, Kwara State and Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos. This is to allow for a full and comprehensive investigation.

    “The reopening of the manufacturing companies will depend on the level of cooperation that is shown during the comprehensive investigation. The Director General has constituted a Task Force made up of NAFDAC Directors- Registration and Regulatory Affairs; Narcotics and Controlled Substances; and Drug Evaluation and Research. Members of PMG-MAN in the Committee included the Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Fidson Healthcare; May & Baker PLC; and Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries. It was stated that on May 2-3, 2018 “A team of nine NAFDAC officers (2 from Drug and Evaluation Research – DER and 7 from Investigation & Enforcement – I&E) and ten mobile police officers were sent to Ilorin, Kwara state on May 2 2018 to carry out investigational inspection at the companies of the two different pharmaceutical companies that are licensed to manufacture codeine-containing syrup, and which were implicated in the BBC documentary.

    “The same investigational inspection by a different NAFDAC team took place on the same day and time as the Ilorin companies at the manufacturing facility of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Ind. Ltd., Ajao Estate, Lagos “The focus of the assignment was to access and monitor from records the utilization, sales and effective distribution of the codeine containing cough syrups to the end users. “Meanwhile, meeting of the stakeholders mentioned above is being planned while the shut down and full investigation”

  • FG bans production, importation of Codeine syrups

    The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban with immediate effect further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

    The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made this known in his office in Abuja.

    He said that the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of Codeine usage has been subjected to in the country.

    In its stead, the Minister said Codeine containing cough syrups should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

    He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labeling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups in the country, while he has also banned sales of Codeine containing cough syrup without prescription across the country.

    He noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug administration and Control had an emergency meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN) to inform them that there is an embargo on all new applications for registration of codeine- containing cough syrups as well as applications for renewal has been abolished.

    The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has been directed to continue enforcement activities on Pharmacies, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor’s Shops and outlets throughout the country.

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was also directed to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.

    The Minister stated that the FMOH shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.

    ‘Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse,’ Adewole stated.

    Already, NAFDAC has developed Information-Education-Communication (IEC) materials that will be used in an already planned national campaign against drug abuse, an awareness programme that includes Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. This will soon be flagged off in Kano and Lagos.

    As a way of discouraging youths to shun the drugs, the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health shall partner with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Football celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.

    ‘The FMOH shall ensure that Drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of health care delivery system in the country,’ Adewole stated.

    He stated that Civil Society Organisations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitization, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.

    Recalled that in view of the serious public health concerns drugs abuse poses to Nigerians , a working group which comprised of experts from various Ministries, Agencies of Government (including regulatory agencies), Development Partners and Associations was constituted in January and tagged Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group (CCRWG).

    The CCRWG was formally inaugurated on January 23, 2018 with clear Terms of Reference of developing key recommendations and strategies to address the menace of codeine, tramadol and other related substances in Nigeria.

    The CCRWG submitted its interim report on April 12, 2018 and recommended short-, medium- and long-term measures for implementation in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, today, 1st of May 2018.

    Finally, Professor Adewole restated the commitment of FGN to ensure the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) by January 01, 2019 and closure of all open drug markets penultimate the implementation date of the NDDG that is, December 31, 2018. It is a public knowledge that easy access to codeine, tramadol and other substances of abuse is promoted by the chaotic drug distribution system.

  • 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.

  • ‘Osinbajo for Ondo MSME clinic Thursday’

    The Ondo State Government says the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will  be in the state on Thursday for the inauguration of  the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSME ) Clinic in Akure.

    The clinic was an initiative of the office of the Vice President in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as  11 other federal agencies.

    This was revealed during a news conference on Sunday in Akure by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mrs Olubunmi Ademosu.

    According Ademosu, the programme would kick off on Wednesday while the Vice President is expected in the state on Thursday for the inauguration.

    She said  the Ondo State Government had  put in place all the required structures and processes that would ensure the success of the programme, adding  that the state government was targeting no fewer than 10,000 beneficiaries.

    “The Akeredolu’s administration has always prioritised the people as a key point of his administration as all programmes we have carried out have been evenly implemented.

    “We have also ensured that political influence is avoided with the commitment to facilitate a sense of belonging to residents of the state.

    “The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic will never be an exemption,’’ Ademosu said.

    She expressed confidence that the programme would go a long way in raising  a new set of entrepreneurs while the existing ones would be guided on the best steps to take to add value to their efforts.

    “ Owners of micro, small and medium enterprises are expected to focus on capacity building before accessing the most appropriate financial facility.

    “This is why you have businesses that open and shut down in less than few months of establishment.

    “Access to finance for at least five years is the right structure for these businesses and government is already working toward  addressing that with the establishment of the Development Bank of Nigeria ( DBN ), ‘’she said.

    The Special Adviser explained that the idea of the MSME Clinic is part of the efforts of the Buhari administration to close the gap between  enterprises and relevant government agencies.

    She also said that agencies like NAFDAC, Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC ), Standards Organisation of Nigeria ( SON ), Bank of Industry ( BoI ), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and others serve as facilitators of businesses and not obstacles to business development in the country.

    Similarly, the Ondo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Timehin Adelegbe, said the implementation of the programme was timely.

    “It is coming at a period that the Akeredolu administration is intensifying efforts at creating a conducive environment for small scale businessmen in the state,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • NYSC promises empowerment to curb unemployment

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra on Monday promised a bouquet of training and empowerment activities to new Corps members toward curbing the challenges of unemployment in the country.

    The NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ebenezer Olawale, made the assertion during the induction of the Corps members at the NYSC temporary orientation site, Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

    Our reporter confirmed that no fewer than 2,127 Corps members were sworn-in for the 2018 Batch A Orientation programme, including 1, 038 males and 1, 089 females.

    He said that officials of the Corporate Affairs Commission, NAFDAC, Bank of Industry, CBN-NYSC Foundation and other agencies would teach them business and registration to enable them develop their entrepreneurial abilities.

    “In view of the concerted efforts of the Federal Government to reduce the rate of unemployment among our graduate youths, much emphasis is placed on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development with more time allotted to increasing the number of self-reliant youths,’’ he said.

    He also urged them to imbibe the core values of the scheme, including patriotism, teamwork, integrity, efficiency and commitment which they would be taught while in camp.

    Olawale restated the call on Gov. Willie Obiano to complete the permanent site of the orientation camp at Umuawulu/Mbaukwu to enhance the welfare of Corps members.

    He thanked the Anglican Diocese for their magnanimity in allowing them to use their present facility.

    On his part, Obiano promised that Anambra would continue to provide enabling environment for youths to maximise their potential.

    Obiano, who was represented by Mr Bonaventure Enemali, Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, while declaring the camp open, urged them to contribute to the greatness of Anambra by surpassing their predecessors.

    NAN

     

  • NAGAFF urges FG over SON return to seaport

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the Federal Government to ensure the return of standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the seaport.

    The group wants SON back instead of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC) that was recently returned to the port.

    Dr. Boniface Aniebonam reacting to the spate of substandard items imported into the country told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that SON should be actively involved in the import inspection of goods and quality assessment at the ports.

    Aniebonam, who spoke on behalf of the association, said the return of SON will help to identify substandard products in the market that are injurious to the public.

    He said that the importance of this exercise is enormous, considering the economic, health and safety implications of the public.

    “On weather SON should return to the port? I would say the presence of SON in the port is needed more than the presence of NAFDAC that are presently dominant at the port.

    “So, we are calling on the Federal Government to ensure that SON returns to the port; as we are aware of the harm substandard goods cause to the economy and safety of the people.

    “Our stand is that SON should be dominant in the port, while other agencies like NAFDAC should be called upon whenever their services are needed” he said.

    NAN reports that the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) had asked the officials of SON to vacate the seaports or risk being arrested.

    The NPA directive said was in line with a new order issued to the agency by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Aniebonam, however charged the Nigerian Shippers Council to prosecute shipping companies who refused to comply with the directive on return of container deposit to importers.

    NAN