…Launches Greenbook, Traceability, and Pediatric Initiatives in North-Central Zone
By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians through innovative technologies and strengthened regulatory frameworks aimed at eradicating substandard and falsified medical products.
Speaking at a two-day Sensitisation and Awareness Workshop on the NAFDAC Greenbook, Traceability Project, and Pediatric Policy for the North-Central Zone held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, described counterfeit medicines as one of the gravest threats to human life and dignity in Nigeria and other developing nations.
According to her, the menace of substandard and falsified medicines is driven by “unscrupulous actors seeking profit at the expense of public health,” adding that the agency remains resolute in ensuring that all medicines available in Nigeria are safe, effective, and of high quality.
Prof. Adeyeye highlighted several ongoing measures to curb fake drugs, including public enlightenment campaigns through programmes such as “Shine Your Eyes” on NTA and “NAFDAC & Your Health” on major TV stations; deployment of advanced technologies like the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), Truscan, and Minilab for on-the-spot detection of counterfeit medicines; and active engagement on social media via @NafdacAgency to enhance public awareness.
Despite these measures, she noted that counterfeiters are becoming more sophisticated, prompting the agency to leverage cutting-edge digital tools to strengthen its regulatory oversight and enforcement.
The workshop brought together health stakeholders, pharmacists, regulatory officers, and civil society groups to discuss three key NAFDAC initiatives designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and safety in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The Greenbook, an online resource, allows users to verify the registration status of medical products by entering a product’s name, brand, or registration number. Prof. Adeyeye said it empowers consumers to make informed choices, avoid counterfeit medicines, and build trust in regulated products.
The Traceability Project provides a legal and technological framework for tracking medicines across the supply chain through unique product identifiers. Nigeria is the first African country—and the second globally—to adopt this system, which proved effective during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by enabling the recall of defective vaccine batches within 24 hours.
Implementation, she said, will be phased, starting with public health commodities such as antimalarial products, narcotics, and maternal and child health medicines.
The third initiative, the Pediatric Regulation, ensures that medicines for children meet strict standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. “This regulation guarantees that every medicine made for children is properly formulated, dosed, and manufactured under the highest standards,” Adeyeye said.
The DG stressed that combating fake drugs requires a collective effort, urging stakeholders to support NAFDAC’s initiatives.
“Combating substandard and falsified medical products is a collective responsibility. Together, we can ensure that every medicine in Nigeria is safe, effective, and traceable,” she said.
The two-day workshop is part of NAFDAC’s nationwide sensitisation drive to strengthen the fight against fake drugs and improve quality assurance in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, beginning with the North-Central zone.
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