The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled 600 pharmacists under a new programme designed to strengthen medicine regulation and protect Nigerians from substandard and falsified drugs and other public health risks.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday September 13, said the pharmacists were selected from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory based on merit, availability and geographical representation. She urged the volunteers to uphold integrity and resist pressure or inducements that could compromise their regulatory responsibilities.
Adeyeye said the Pharmacists Regulatory Volunteers Programme (PRVP) would train participants in pharmacovigilance, quality assurance, compliance monitoring, surveillance, data collection, public sensitisation and enforcement procedures. She explained that the initiative would create a national pool of trained pharmacists who could support NAFDAC during product recalls, suspected circulation of falsified medicines and public health emergencies.
The programme, according to NAFDAC, will extend regulatory activities to markets, community pharmacies, patent medicine stores and primary healthcare centres across the country. Adeyeye urged the volunteers to maintain confidentiality, professionalism and respect for the communities they serve, while calling on NAFDAC state coordinators to deploy and mentor them effectively in the interest of public health.
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