The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that more than 50% of certificates for imported pharmaceutical products in Nigeria are fake. The Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja.
The certificates, issued in the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended format, are meant to assure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.
Adeyeye emphasized the need to ensure the right quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products in circulation. She highlighted the threat of substandard and falsified products to universal health coverage in Nigeria and Africa.
Despite NAFDAC’s efforts, Adeyeye acknowledged challenges in limited regulatory processes across Africa, with only 10% of national regulatory agencies reaching maturity level three.
The agency has blacklisted companies, imposed sanctions, and aims to strengthen measures to combat the influx of fake certificates, especially from countries like China and India. Adeyeye urged for community efforts and partnerships to address lapses in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines.
