NAFDAC Solicits Traditional rulers’ Support on Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs, Substandard Regulated Products

By Abdulrofiu Agboola, Osogbo

The Acting Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oluremi Oni has sought for monarchs’ support to complement the agency fight against unauthorized drugs and other nutrition in the country.

The Agency also appealed to stakeholders in the country to collaborate with the agency in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous acts.

Oni made the appeal in Ile-Ife, Osun state, during the conferment of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as NAFDAC ambassador.

Addressing the congregation of the traditional rulers assembled at the Ooni’s palace, the NAFDAC boss urged the royal fathers to complement the efforts of the agency by prohibiting fake and counterfeit drugs, unwholesome processed foods and other substandard regulated products in their respective domains.

NAFDAC said, “we are here to solicit your support in our fight against fake and counterfeit drugs and other regulated products.

“NAFDAC is aware that the fight against counterfeit medicines is by no means an easy task and based on mounting evidence, we alone cannot address the growing nature and scope of the problem and the growing expertise and sophistication of those that produce and market them.

“Fake and counterfeit medicines have “no border” and have escalated. Effective collaboration and cooperation is essential to build effective strategies.

“In view of this, we have come to you as a royal father of the people, for partnership to put in place proper coordination mechanism to involve all parties that have a role to play to combat them.

The Acting DG of NAFDAC stormed the palace alongside with the management team of the agency and NAFDAC coordinators in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states where over 50 traditional rulers in Osun state who converged for their monthly meeting were simultaneously addressed by the agency.

However, the Acting NAFDAC DG and her team had earlier visited the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola to also solicit for support of the state government so as for NAFDAC to be able to operate effectively.

She explained that her advocacy visit to Osun became necessary as part of strategies to fine-tune a robust synergy between the agency and Osun State government.

Oni noted that the obligation of NAFDAC to prevent the proliferation of counterfeit medical products and unwholesome processed foods, including other substandard regulated products remained statutory.

She therefore reaffirmed her commitment and continued effort towards combating the proliferated menace of fake drugs in Nigeria.

In his response, Governor Aregbesola who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori commended NAFDAC for its conscious efforts at ensuring the safety of the citizenry.