The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a strategic partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), to intensify the fight against drug counterfeiting, unauthorised handling of chemicals, and terrorism.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a press release on its X handle, said the collaboration is expected to bolster NAFDAC’s enforcement capabilities, ensuring stricter compliance and monitoring of pharmaceutical and chemical products.
She highlighted the critical role of NAFDAC in ensuring the quality and safety of drugs, a mandate that has been improved by the agency’s attainment of the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 accreditation.
Adeyeye emphasised that regulating drug quality is not only a public health issue but also a matter of national security, thus the partnership aims to leverage the agency’s regulatory expertise and resources to enhance national security efforts.
The NAFDAC DG also acknowledged the NCTC’s instrumental role in reinstating NAFDAC’s presence at Nigeria’s ports, a measure that has been pivotal in reducing the influx of counterfeit and illicit substances into the country.
NCTC Coordinator, Major-General Adamu Laka expressed appreciation for NAFDAC’s scientific contributions and pledged the NCTC’s ongoing support.
He also requested the deployment of additional NAFDAC personnel to further enhance the centre’s operational capacity.
The NAFDAC boss further asserted that the partnership will enable the NCTC to access the agency’s capabilities in forensic analysis, toxicology, and DNA testing, strengthening efforts to track and combat the distribution of counterfeit drugs and chemicals.
She said this is particularly crucial in curbing the illicit trade that poses significant risks to public health and safety.
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