NAFDAC Gets Fake Products Detection Boost From BOI


*Unveils Agilent High Performance Liquid Chromatography

By Chioma Umeha
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Tuesday, procured the latest model of 1260 series of Agilent High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) as part of efforts to boost its capacity in tracking circulation of fake products.
The equipment donated by the Bank of Industry (BOI) will avail the agency opportunity to work with high output and sensitive instrument with multiple detectors. The Agilent HPLC, which can handle all products, is also designed to improve timelines of analysis of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, veterinary and other NAFDAC regulated products.
At the presentation of the equipment in Lagos, Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni said the new equipment will assist the agency to detect substandard and falsified medical products as well as unwholesome foods.
According to Oni, the agency is dedicated to ensuring that only the right quality food, drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised, sold and used in Nigeria.
The NAFDAC boss said: “This instrument procured with the support of BoI will avail our laboratory analysts the opportunity to work with user-friendly, high output, sensitive instrument with multiple detectors that can handle various product types thus improving timeliness of analysis of Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, veterinary and other regulated products. It will also equip our analysts to detect and pronounce on substandard and falsified medical products as well as unwholesome foods in our collective efforts to protect public health.
“Our goal in NAFDAC is to achieve zero tolerance to counterfeiting of NAFDAC regulated products and this is guided by our vision of safeguarding the health of the nation. We are determined and committed to ensuring that only the right quality food, drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised sold ad used in Nigeria. Furthermore, we are also committed to ensuring quality and timely releases of laboratory reports hence our request for top notch Laboratories with adequate equipment and well trained staff to perform optimally at all times.”
“We are also committed to ensuring quality and timely releases of laboratory reports, hence our quest for top notch laboratories with adequate equipment and well trained staff to perform optimally at all time.”
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Binta Bello noted that the partnership between BOI and NAFDAC will serve as a precursor for further collaboration between the heath sector and other sectors of the economy towards repositioning the health sector.
Bello said: “To my mind, this commissioning today will be precursor for further collaboration between the health sector and other sectors of the economy and it will thus further reposition the health sector in area of infrastructural support, capacity building and delivery of quality health services in the country.
“The problem of fake drug proliferation in Nigeria has affected the credibility of the healthcare system and has exerted very harmful effects on the consumer resulting to illness, disability and even death. Some of the incidences have resulted in dealth even among children because most time the consumers do not know the quality of what they are buying or taking. It is encouraging to note various unrelenting approaches including cutting edge technologies employed by NAFDAC in tackling this menace and bringing it under control.”
On his part, Acting Managing Director of BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju said that the support was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for a better Nigeria.
“This is the beginning of greater ties between both organisations to strengthen the regulatory operations and promote ease of doing business in Nigeria.”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more

PSN President Commissions ACPN National Secretariat

Image
Chioma Umeha History was made among the community pharmacists recently, as the national body of the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) inaugurated its National Secretariat at Ikeja, Lagos State. The event was graced by many notable personalities in the pharmaceutical sector including, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, the president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) who commissioned the befitting edifice. Other notable guests at the event were – Dr. UNO Uwaga, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for ACPN; Pharm. Bukky George, the Managing Director of Healthplus, among many former presidents of different pharmaceutical bodies. Pharm. Yakasai stated that it was a thing of joy for him to see this development come to light. He said that he is ‘a proud father’ as the inauguration of the building was a “testimony of when you have a proud son who can carry out directives.” He described the secretariat as “A home for all pharmacists across board.”
Read more