NECCI PR Roundtable: NAFDAC Worries over Proliferation of substandard medicines
Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye, has said that the proliferation of sub-standard and falsified medicines pose danger to public health and economic growth.
Speaking at the 23rd NECCI PR Roundtable in Lagos, she said illicit sales and distribution of sub-standard and falsified medicines were threatening the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and leading to global assault on public health globally.
With the theme: “Fighting the Scourge of Illicit Trade In The Pharma Industry: The Role of Communication,” she said the menace portends grave financial losses, possible divestment and close of shop for the pharmaceutical industry.
Adeyeye said no single agency could undertake the battle alone, adding that the approach must be multi-faceted.
To her, concerted efforts were needed.
She identified challenges as uncoordinated drug distribution and supply chain system; drug hawking and proliferation of street/ open drug markets; increasing use of postal/ courier services for dispatch of small parcels of sub-standard and falsified medicines; availability of advanced technologies; reduced risks of prosecution; non-deterrent laws and weak penalties; proliferation of rogue online pharmacists/ unregulated sales of medicines online; ignorance, poverty and high cost of living; scarcity of medicines and abuse of free trade zones and lawful trade facilitation mechanisms.
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On what NAFDAC is doing to bridge the gap, she listed attainment of ISO9001:2015 certification and WHO Maturity Level 3, which implies that NAFDAC has reached the level of regulatory system operating as a stable, well-functioning and integrated system for the regulation of medicines and imported vaccines in an efficient, effective and transparent manner, to achieve Universal Health Coverage by access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicine and vaccines for all Nigerians.
In her welcome address, the convener of NECCI PR Roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, noted that the pharmaceutical sector plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health, alongside legitimate trade, a shadowy underworld of illicit activities, that “undermines our progress.”
She said that NECCI PR Limited hosted the public relations roundtable with the aim to proffer solutions through strategic communication on public health and safety,
According to Nkechi Ali-Balogun, effective communication plays a pivotal role in addressing illicit trade within the pharmaceutical industry and collectively we can strategically educate our consumers through awareness campaigns.
She further added that public awareness campaigns can empower consumers to recognize counterfeit drugs and make informed choices. By disseminating information through various channels—such as social media, radio, and community events we can raise awareness about the dangers of illicit pharmaceuticals and more importantly help to bring culprits to book.
Participants at the event cut across key players in the pharmaceutical industry, innovative business leaders and key opinion leaders in the public relations and other sectors.
Over two decades NECCI PR Roundtable has become Nigeria’s greatest Public Relations Conference and a representation of PR professionals and their contributions to diverse sectors. More than a hundred partners have recognized this powerful channel to network, connect and engage communication experts across the country and globally.
By PRNigeria
