NAFDAC engages stakeholders in Niger state on regulatory compliance
From Our Reporter.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) , has held a stakeholder engagement meeting in Minna, Niger State aimed to enhance regulatory activities and improve services rendered to stakeholders.
During the stakeholder engagement meeting, the Director, North Central Zone, Pharm. Kenneth Azikwe, emphasized the importance of feedback, stating, “For us in NAFDAC, we believe in feedback.
“We want to hear from you to see how we can improve the services we are rendering to you, know your challenges, and see how we can add to the solutions we are proffering.”
The Director highlighted the agency’s upgraded NAFDAC Automated Product and Monitoring System (NAPMS), which enables product registration without physical presence.
“Our activities are online. All you need to do is visit the agency registration platform on NAPAMS, introduce yourself, and update your data,” he explained.
He encouraged stakeholders to embrace the Micro Small Medium Enterprises Registration Scheme, which allows registration of low-risk food products using minimal facilities.
Pharm. Azikwe urged small-scale manufacturers to come forward and register their products, assuring that NAFDAC would guarantee their safety.
The meeting also focused pharmacovigilance, with Pharm. Azikwe urging stakeholders to report adverse drug reactions using the Net Safety App.
“Don’t keep quiet, report such products using your phone through the app. Once you complain, we have officers watching the app, and an investigation will be launched to withdraw the drug if it’s not good,” he said.
He called on the stakeholders to embrace the NAFDAC Automated Product and Monitoring System (NAPMS), which enables products registration online without physical presence
According to.him, NAFDAC as a regulatory authority has grown with the signs of time, which is NAPMAS, take it as a tool to register your products as it is easier and cheaper.
The Director also encouraged stakeholders to participate in the Micro Small Medium Enterprises Registration Scheme, which allows registration of low-risk food products using minimal facilities to guarantee the safety of the products.
He also appealed to stakeholders to embrace the Green Book, a database of registered products, urging stakeholders to download the app into their phone which can be used to search name of a drug to know if such drug is registered or not.
He encouraged to come forward as a group or association, particularly in the agrochemical and chemical sectors, to obtain the necessary licences and certifications to enable the agency control what people were doing with chemicals.
In his welcome remark, State Coordinator Pharm. James Kigbu appreciated the diverse group of stakeholders, stating, “This gathering is crucial for fostering open dialogue and collaboration as we strive to be on the same page so we can work together to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and responsible business practices.”
“Your feedback today will help is in decision-making, improve processes and help us to manage your expectations,” he said.
Stakeholders, including the Agro Chemical Association, Industrial Pharmacy of Nigeria, and Supermarket Owners Association, lauded NAFDAC for the meeting, describing it as an eye-opener
However, they appealed to the agency to review its registration fees downward, citing them as being on the high side.
Stakeholders at the engagement includes; the Agro Chemical Association, Industrial Pharmacy of Nigeria and Supermarket Owners Association among others.
Others are Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NAPPME), Islamic Medicine and Prophetic Medicine Association, and National Association of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria
