The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on its mission to eradicate the menace of counterfeit drugs and unwholesome products from the Nigerian market, has revealed four simple ways consumers can identify fake drugs and other products.
The Director General, Professor Moji Adeyeye made the disclosure on Tuesday on the heels of widespread social media outrage against the activities of fake drug manufacturers and sellers of substandard food and beverages.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), describes fake and substandard medicines as spurious, falsified, falsely labelled, and counterfeit (SSFFC) drugs, with grievous consequences on human health.
The apex health agency asserts that they often will fail to properly treat the disease or condition for which they were intended, and can lead to serious health consequences including death.
Available statistics also shows that the sub-Saharan African region records an annual mortality rate of about 280,000 children as a result of counterfeit medications for malaria and pneumonia.
Nigeria, in 2023, according to data from NAFDAC destroyed 135 truckloads of fake, counterfeit, spurious, and damaged or expired products worth over N16 billion.
To avert unnecessary mortality and morbidity among the populace, Prof. Adeyeye, in a statement highlighted what she termed 4 Ps for members of the public to easily detect fake and adulterated drugs and products.
Place of medicine purchase was the first P, as she emphasised the need for consumers to patronise only NAFDAC-registered reputable licensed pharmacies and stores for their drug and food products.
The second P, according to the NAFDAC DG was price, which is a very significant factor in the purchase process, saying people should be cautious of products below normal prices or without proper taxes, as they might be fake.
Packaging, the third P, provides tell-tales signs about any product, she said, urging them to always Inspect for poor-quality packaging, spelling mistakes, and unusual bottle shapes. “Check for the manufacturer's contact information and address-, she charged.
Prof. Adeyeye listed Product, as the last P, with serious warning for people to beware of unpleasant smells, as products smelling like paint stripper or nail polish remover may be unsafe.
While assuring citizens of the unwavering commitment of the agency in ridding the nation of counterfeit products and merchants of deaths, she appealed for the support of the 10th National Assembly in expediting the review of penalties against counterfeiting. She argued that stiff penalties, without an option of a fine, would discourage perpetrators from engaging in such illicit trades.
Despite numerous life-threatening encounters and attacks on NAFDAC officers, Prof. Adeyeye assured that the agency remains undeterred in its mission to safeguard the health of Nigerians. She urged citizens to assist by providing useful information on the activities of counterfeiters.
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