NAFDAC enlists pharmacists to combat fake drugs in Nigeria
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), recently inducted 600 pharmacists into the Agency’s Pharmacists Reserve Volunteer Programme (PRVP).
The pharmacists, selected from all 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory, will assist NAFDAC in its efforts to reduce the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines and unsafe food. Adeyeye explained the PRVP is a long-term investment in both the pharmacists and the future of medicine regulation within Nigeria.
The volunteers will receive training in areas like pharmacovigilance, quality assurance, and public health education, preparing them to respond to health threats. NAFDAC plans to establish a network of trained pharmacists in every state to extend the agency’s reach beyond its central offices and ports. These volunteers will be deployed during product recalls, investigations into falsified medicines, and emergencies in remote areas.
Adeyeye emphasized the importance of integrity and confidentiality, instructing the pharmacists to protect information gathered during inspections and to prioritize public safety above all else. The program will also provide volunteers with professional development opportunities and formal recognition of their service.
