50% pharmaceutical drugs imported to Nigeria are fake – NAFDAC reveals

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that a startling 50 percent of imported pharmaceutical products in Nigeria are counterfeit. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, made this revelation during a recent stakeholders’ engagement held in Abuja.

Adeyeye highlighted the importance of the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), which is issued in accordance with the format recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This certificate serves as a crucial assurance of the quality of pharmaceutical products and the integrity of the exporting country.

However, she expressed deep concern that despite the efforts to ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria, a significant number of CPPs arriving in the country are counterfeit. This poses a severe risk to public health and undermines the integrity of the pharmaceutical industry.

In response to this concerning situation, Adeyeye emphasized NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to implementing stringent regulatory measures. The agency is determined to hold non-compliant companies accountable and take swift action against those compromising the quality of pharmaceutical products in the market.

Adeyeye further affirmed that NAFDAC is actively engaged in combating the prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, detection, and timely response strategies. The agency is dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of the Nigerian population by ensuring that only safe and genuine pharmaceutical products reach the market.