– Tasks community pharmacists on intelligence sharing, vigilance
Contrary to speculations circulating within the pharmaceutical sector, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly denied the existence of any rivalry or tension between it and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), insisting that both bodies remain united in their regulatory mandate to sanitise Nigeria’s drug distribution system and protect public health.
This position was stated by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who was represented by Pharm. Louis Madubuatta, deputy director and Anambra State coordinator of NAFDAC, during an exclusive interview with Pharmanews at the 45th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
Madubuatta clarified that there is no conflict of interest or professional rivalry between the two regulatory agencies, describing such rumours as tactics employed by unscrupulous individuals seeking to destabilise the regulatory system. He emphasised that NAFDAC, under its current leadership, enjoys a collaborative working relationship with the PCN, with both agencies understanding their distinct but complementary responsibilities.
“NAFDAC does not register premises; that’s the statutory function of the PCN,” he said. “What some people are trying to do is create a divide-and-rule situation to exploit regulatory loopholes, but it will not work. Both agencies operate within clearly defined boundaries as prescribed by law. We are partners, not competitors.”
He noted that the PCN plays a pivotal role under the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), particularly in the registration of premises and pharmaceutical establishments, while NAFDAC focuses on the regulation, importation, registration, surveillance, and enforcement regarding pharmaceutical products. Madubuatta dismissed suggestions that drugs imported from developed countries should bypass NAFDAC registration, explaining that all pharmaceutical and regulated products must be duly registered before distribution.
“There is no exemption based on country of origin. Even orphan and service drugs that are not fully registered still have to go through regulatory checks. Everything must pass through the system,” he explained.
Addressing compliance among importers and marketers of foreign pharmaceutical products, he described a multi-stage process that includes product registration, port clearance, laboratory sampling, and post-marketing surveillance. He added that NAFDAC also implements Good Distribution Practice (GDP) to ensure that drugs are stored and distributed under conditions that preserve their quality and efficacy.
On the reported closure of open drug markets in Anambra and other states, Madubuatta stated that the exercise is in line with federal government directives and NAFDAC’s statutory responsibility to safeguard public health. He described the move as a long-overdue step towards ending the menace of substandard and falsified medicines, which are often traced to poorly regulated drug markets.
He acknowledged that Anambra State remains a flashpoint in the fight against substandard drugs, largely due to the existence of the open drug market and ongoing security concerns that make enforcement activities challenging. “Security is our greatest challenge in Anambra. You have to be cautious when conducting operations. But despite the limitations, the agency is committed and doing its best within available resources,” he said.
When asked about efforts to clean up the drug distribution system, Madubuatta pointed to the state’s Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) initiative as a step in the right direction, praising the Anambra State Government’s support in streamlining the system. “What the government is doing through the CWC is putting things under proper regulation. When regulation is enforced, the problem of fake drugs will drastically reduce,” he affirmed.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders – importers, distributors, wholesalers, and community pharmacists – to prioritise compliance with NAFDAC regulations. He stressed that every player in the pharmaceutical supply chain must ensure the quality, registration, and proper storage of medicines to preserve efficacy and protect patients.
“We need community pharmacists to share intelligence with us, remain vigilant, and act as frontline protectors of public health. This fight requires everyone’s cooperation,” he declared.
Madubuatta reiterated the DG’s message that NAFDAC will continue to strengthen its surveillance, enforcement, and digital tools to keep pace with evolving threats in the drug supply chain, and will not relent in ensuring that only safe, quality medicines are available to Nigerians.
