NAFDAC Moves against Gang Manufacturing in Pharma Industry

pharmacy

The National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control, NAFDAC, says it is ready to delist any pharmaceutical company involving in what it called gang manufacturing, as it is dangerous to citizens’ health.

Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, who condemned the act in its entirety, said the health of the nation is jeopardised when pharma manufacturers compromise Good Manufacturing Practice through gang manufacturing.

Speaking at a Townhall meeting organised by the Research, Development and Industry Liaison Committee, of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria(PSN), Adeyeye described gang manufacturing as a situation where a company signs a contract manufacturing agreement for a generic drug with several companies with different measurements.

She said:” Gang manufacturing is a situation where a manufacturer makes an  agreement of producing paracetamol for ten companies with different measurement.

“It is deleterious to the health of our nation, as many manufacturers compromise when they get to China and India for their contract manufacturing.

“It is also called second chip, and It may lead to delisting of companies involved in it, if they dont desist from it” she warned.

She also cautioned pharmacists to be wary of patronising people parading themselves as consultants for the agency, saying NAFDAC has sacked all consultants affiliated to it.

“I don’t have consultants in NAFDAC, work directly with a staff. We terminated consultants since April 2018,, there are many people who don’t have anything with NAFDAC, who will register their sims with NAFDAC, as a way of deceiving people”, she stressed.

The Townhall meeting held virtually and attended by about 300 pharmacists, also addressed some issues affecting the industry such as products registration, regulations, products circulation, capacity buidling, among others.

In his contribution, the PSN President, Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, appreciated the convener of the meeting, Dr Lolu Ojo, and his team members for the wonderful organisation of the programme, as they have been consistent since the inauguration of the committee.

The National Chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria, AHAPN, Dr Kingsley Amibor, craved the indulgence of the DG  to the need for NAFDAC to organise adequate and comprehensive training for members of his association, as well as the need to step up quality control in public hospitals.

National Chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) Pharm. Ignatius  Anukwu, also urged the NAFDAC DG to assist in easing importation challenges, through fast-tracking of finished pharmaceutical products from the point of entry at the port.